PAS under fire for asking members to postpone haj
PAS received brickbat from Islamic scholars after calling on its members to postpone their haj to Mecca due to the general election.
PAS received brickbat from Islamic scholars after calling on its members to postpone their haj to Mecca due to the general election.
The Islamic party expected the general election to be called during the haj season which is between September to October.
Hence its information chief, Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man (
left
), told Selangor government organ
Selangorkini
that the postponement is appropriate as PAS needs its machinery for campaigning.
“This is the problem faced by our nation in relation to the election date which causes the people difficulties in planning (their schedule).
“According to our observation, indeed the general election is expected to be held during this year’s haj season when the haj congregation departs for Mecca.
“If it happens, we call on PAS members who are involved directly in the general election whether as candidates, candidate’s representatives or party agents, to postpone their haj to next year,” he was quoted as saying in the latest issue of the Malay-language version of Selangorkini .
He urged the BN federal government to set an election date for the convenience of the people.
Tuan Ibrahim’s statement was highlighted by several pro-government bloggers before it hit the front page of Umno-owned daily Utusan Malaysia today.
The daily quoted several Islamic scholars who condemned PAS for placing politics higher than religion obligation.
Chairperson of Malaysia Young Ulama Rally (Ilmu) Fadlan Mohd Othman said such a call is against Islam, and it is a great sin for those who can afford to perform the haj to delay it.
“PAS should distribute the general election work to other members, and should not ask the selected haj congregation to postpone their schedule,” he was quoted as saying.
Former PAS ulama council member Mohd Noor Deris urged Tuan Ibrahim to check the teachings of al-Quran and Hadith again whether there is any part that says the general election is equally important as performing the haj.
Related stories
Najib desperate over looming general election
Urbanites will have better future with BN, says Najib
Committee never issued anti-Bersih fatwa
