Malaysian Islamic authorities on Thursday ruled that touching dogs is against the country's Islamic doctrine, the state media reported.

Bernama news agency said the National Fatwa Council Muzakarah decided that touching dogs is against the Imam Shafie school of thought, which is the main Islamic doctrine adhered to in the predominantly Muslim country.

The decision of the National Fatwa Council Muzakarah came as Islamic authorities were conducting an investigation into a recent "Touch a Dog" event in an open area of a mall on the outskirt of Kuala Lumpur, which was criticized by the country's religious scholars and clerics.

Jamil Khir Baharom, a minister in the prime minister's department, said the Department of Islamic Development in Malaysia would summon the organizers of the event, which was held last Sunday and drew hundreds of Malaysian Muslims.

Syed Azmi, a pharmacist who organized the event, said his initiative was aimed at helping his fellow Muslims overcome their fear of dogs, and to instil in them compassion for animals.