Opposition leader Fadzil Noor said today that there appeared to be a systematic agenda to attack Islam, the Prophet and Muslims in the name of freedom of expression.

Fadzil, who is also PAS president, lamented that lately certain groups, especially writers and the government-controlled media, placed Islam, the Prophet and the ulama (religious scholars) in the 'accused dock' to be tried and judged.

Debating the royal address in Parliament today, the PAS leader reiterated that the ulama can be criticised as they are normal human beings and are not immune to making mistakes.

"However, the criticisms of these writers, especially in the English media, have come to the stage of disparaging Islam and were done in a very insulting way of expressing their differing opinions," said the MP from Pendang.

Last month Persatuan Ulama Malaysia (Malay Scholars Association) had lodged a report with the National Fatwa Council against malaysiakini columnist Farish A Noor and business weekly The Edge over a published interview in which the writer was alleged to have belittled the Prophet and the ulama .

Following this, PUM submitted a memorandum to the Council of Rulers to take action against Farish and a number of other writers.

Among them were Suhakam commissioner and Sisters in Islam executive director Zainah Anwar, lawyer Malik Imtiaz Sarwar, The Sun columnist Akhar Ali, Universiti Malaya lecturer Dr Patricia Martinez and academic Kassim Ahmad.

Denigrating the Prophet

Fadzil said such denigration was not only restricted to the ulama but the Prophet. He cited Farish's article in the New Straits Times of Nov 4, 2000 as an example.

In the article, Farish was reported to have claimed that the Prophet had sexual relations with 15 women, including a slave, Rayhana, who until her death, did not convert into Islam.

"I cannot imagine more denigrating accusations than what was written by this writer," Fadzil said, adding that besides these articles, there were many which had hurt the Muslim community.

These articles, he said, included issues on apostasy and were published in English dailies such as the New Straits Times , The Star and The Edge .

"Even the issue of polygamy has been turned into a joke and played up by those who wish to insult Islam," he said.

"If there are Muslims, such as ministers and government supporters who say all these are normal matters because it is about the freedom to express one's opinion, which is one of the elements of basic human rights, then there is nothing left for Islam and its followers in this country," he lamented.

No apology

Referring to Farish again, Fadzil said the writer has not apologised and instead have been defended by "so-called intellectuals", referring to the statement which was signed by a number of prominent personalities including Suhakam commissioners.

"Does this not invite the anger of the Muslims? Does this not threaten the stability of the country? We can imagine if Muslims express their anger they would soon be labelled as fanatics, militants, terrorists and so on.

"(But) who can the Muslims turn to? Are they merely to keep silent like the government ulama ?" asked Fadzil.

He said all government agencies such as Bukit Aman (police headquarters), Jakim (Malaysian Islamic Development Department) and Ikim (Malaysian Islamic Understanding Institute) have been silent as if the matter was not importance and was not a potential threaten public peace.

Mahadzir Khir (BN-Sungai Petani), who asked Fadzil for permission to raise a point, inquired if the latter had read all the articles which supposedly disparaged Islam.

He said Fadzil probably heard of the articles from his secretary.

"I am not taking sides with PAS or Umno," said Mahadzir. "But I am aware of PUM's link to PAS," he added.