Muslim groups today call on the Rulers Conference to take action against individuals said to have insulted and abused Islam and the Prophet Muhammad in their writings.

The groups, led by the Muslim Scholars Association of Malaysia, submitted a complaint letter to the office of the Keeper of the Royal Seals to urge that Sultans, as the head of Islam in their respective states, take action against those who have made offensive remarks on Islam.

Other non-governmental organisations that voiced their disapproval included the Muslim Scholars Association of Kedah, National Association of Islamic scholars of Malaysia, Iman International, Islamic Graduates Council, Syariah Graduates Association of Malaysia and the Islam Womens Action Committee of Malaysia.

According to Abdul Ghani Samsudin, chairperson of the association, the Muslim groups felt it necessary to put forward their views in order to defend the universal values of Islam from being criticised by those not knowledgeable about the religion.

We know that Islam guarantees freedom and gives man more freedom than any other system, said Abdul Ghani during a press conference in Petaling Jaya this morning.

If we do not appreciate thinking and teachings that are based on knowledge, he said in reference to the teachings of the ulama , then we are going against logic and free-thinking (clerics).

No free debate

However, although there are individuals who have knowledge of Islam, it does not mean that everyone can speak for Islam as many are narrow-minded in their interpretation, said Abdul Ghani.

There have been a lot of writings recently from individuals claiming to be progressive and open to Islam but in reality, what they say is far from the truth, he added.

The Muslim groups objected to the perceived attempts by certain quarters to debate Islam freely without following the correct methods and knowledge in Islam.

This will corrupt the image and sacredness of Islam and result in confusion in society especially among the Muslims, explained Abdul Ghani.

He referred to a statement made by Sisters In Islam executive chairperson Zainah Anwar, in which she said the interpretation of Islam is not solely the domain of the ulama and legislators.

He said no one should question the tenets of the religion such as on polygamy and apostasy as these were the rules of the religion and not subjected to changes in order to suit each individual.

Abdul Ghani also protested against several writings by malaysiakini and New Straits Times columnist Dr Farish A Noor.

He alleged that Farish had said the Prophet Muhammad was a tribal leader in his specific historical context and that he was known to have sexual relations with 15 women including one who remained non-Muslim.

According to Abdul Ghani, these writings are baseless and serve to belittle the Prophet.

Abdul Ghani also expressed displeasure at The Sun columnist Akbar Ali, who is said to have ridiculed and disparaged the ulama in his articles by referring to them as men who dislike shaving and that the turbans of the mufti are too tight and therefore not enough oxygen is getting into their brains.

Not authorised

Others who came under the ire of the ulama included lawyer Malik Imtiaz Sarwar and Islamic scholar Dr Patricia Martinez for their participation in a forum entitled Islam the Great Debate on Dec 8, 2001 in conjunction with World Human Rights Day.

These people say that they are academics but then so are the ulama who teach and learn about Islam for many years. Why were the ulama not invited to participate? asked Abdul Ghani.

The bodies that organised the workshop are not authorised to discuss about Islam and they invite panelists who are not qualified to speak on the topic including those who are non-Muslims, said the Muslim association in its press statement.

This kind of discourse confuses everyone and causes instability, Abdul Ghani said adding that this may result in a backlash in which Muslims who feel insulted may attack other religions if they do not understand why Islam is the only religion debated over.

The Muslim groups are of the opinion that there is a devious plan and organised effort by certain quarters to attack Islam and the ulama institutions in the country.

Those who are guilty of these acts should be punished under sections 7 and 8 of the respective states Syariah Criminal Act which provides for a fine up to RM5,000 and a jail sentence of up to three years, the group added.

They also said separate reports have been made at the Religious Departments of several states for the authorities to investigate and take action against the offending writers.

Instruments of Zionists

Replying to reporters later, Abdul Ghani said it was not wrong for Kelantan Menteri Besar Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, who is also an ulama , to link heavenly merit ( pahala ) with support for PAS.

If you bring up those who are good, then you should receive a pahala , said Abdul Ghani in contradiction with the National Fatwa Council which had ruled that the PAS spiritual leaders action was against Islamic teachings.

Abdul Ghani added that since Islam is a comprehensive religion which permeates all aspects of life, there is no delineation between politics and religion.

When asked, he said those said to have insulted Islam are merely instruments of Zionists and imperialists.

They (the Zionists) want to control the world with their hegemony and use the media and money of the world to accuse Islam of crimes, said Abdul Ghani, adding that the true crime is the one committed by the Israelis against the Palestinians.

He added that it was wrong for people to blame Islam for the deaths of about 3,000 people in the United States since no other religion had been implicated when their followers were involved in wars.