Recently, Isma president Abdullah Zaik Abd Rahman ‘attacked’ DAP’s newest member, 83-year-old national laureate A Samad Said, popularly known as Pak Samad, by reminding him that he should be paying more attention to the afterlife, “In the age that is over 80 years old, others think about dying with a good ending. Choose to return to the path of enlightenment and guidance, not enter the deviance of DAP.”

Isma is noted for its continuous attacks on DAP and everything else that is in line with democracy, social justice and human rights. By doing so, Isma has reiterated - yet again, that the appalling levels of bigotry and ignorance this organisation suffers from only echoes the mindset of the typical bigoted ultra-right wing machinery in this country.

The misconception that DAP is a Chinese chauvinist party is mistaken and misplaced as the party has drawn members from all walks of life. DAP does not discriminate based on race and religion; the party upholds the strong principles based on equality for all Malaysians and meritocracy. For Malaysians, Pak Samad’s entry to DAP proves that the roads to reforms is becoming more attainable and this worries the ultra-right wing machinery more than anything else.

The recent attack on Pak Samad, who has contributed magnanimously to Malaysian history, activism and literature arts, comes off as petty and ungraciously immature. Isma persistently broadcasts that the organisation champions the rights of Muslim Malays, however, such verbal attacks are not in line with Islamic teaching.

Islam is a religion that encourages compassion and justice. It is a religion that teaches sound morals judgments and forbids bad conduct.

Religious texts urge Muslims to respect and honour the elderly as Islam has given the elderly a special status within our socio-religious structure. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Part of glorifying Allah is honouring the grey-haired Muslim.” (Narrated by Abu Dawood, 4843; classed as Hasan by al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood, 4053).

Malaysians must understand that religious-based prejudicism is not only just synonymous with bigotry; it is one of the lowest and most vile forms of bigotry that has permeated into our modern society. The corrupt values of hostility and discrimination are given a moral stamp of approval by those who masquerade in piety; worsen by the misinterpretations of religious texts and political ulterior motives.

Faith in Malaysia’s social and political structure can only be restored if the ruling party can muster the courage to condemn these continuous attacks and walk the talk of moderation and progressivity. These bigoted groups contradict the image of the moderate Malaysia, our prime minister often attempts to portray.

Malaysians must urge the government to denounce the legitimacy of such organisations that continue to mock the democratic institution our federation was founded on, simply because the core messages that these organisations often promote can cause great harm to our society and the religious-based condemnation can lead to the destruction of democracy in this country.

SYERLEENA ABDUL RASHID is Bukit Bendera DAP Wanita political education director, Bukit Bendera Dapsy secretary and Penang Island City Council member.