The concept of syura or dialogue is one of the best avenues to erase the existing tension between the ulama (Muslim scholars) and certain Muslim intellectuals, said Islamic preacher Muhammad El Muhammady.
Muhammad, who is also an honorary fellow of the Malaysian Institute of Islamic Understanding (Ikim) added: By subscribing to syura , both ulama and the Muslim intellectuals from all disciplines, can get together to discuss their respective roles in uniting the Muslim community and guiding it towards the future.
Through these forums, they could correct mistakes and learn from each other in order to uplift the ummah (community) as a whole, he said when speaking at a forum titled 'The freedom of expression in the Islamic perspective' in Kajang, Selangor last night.
If certain intellectuals make mistakes unintentionally, every effort must be made to rectify the errors before it gets out of hand, and not condemn them straightaway, he said.
Muhammad was referring to the Muslim Scholars Association of Malaysia (PUM)s criticism of several writers over their controversial remarks concerning Islam and Prophet Muhammad.
PUM had lodged a report with the National Fatwa Council against New Straits Times and malaysiakini columnist Dr Farish A Noor (who was also a panelist at last nights forum) and business weekly The Edge .
Following this, PUM submitted a memorandum to the Council of Rulers, urging them to take action against Farish, The Sun columnist Akbar Ali, lawyer Malik Imthias Sarwar, university lecturer Dr Patricia Martinez and Sisters in Islam executive director and Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) commissioner Zainah Anwar.
Learn from mistakes
Commenting further, Muhammad said: Although PUM seems to have a good case against them we hope PUM can still open room for syura with these writers. We must try to learn from our mistakes.
Islamic organisations like Abim (Malaysian Muslim Youth Association) should take the initiative to organise such dialogues to open more channels of communication between Muslims from all walks of life, he added.
Meanwhile, Farish, responding to PUMs allegation that he had belittled Prophet Muhammad in an interview published by The Edge , said that at no point had he questioned or denied Prophet Muhammads status as the Prophet of God.
On another allegation that he had denigrated the Prophet by referring to his sexual relationship with his wives, Farish claimed this was taken out of context.
He explained that his references to the Prophet came from the work of Tunisian Professor of Islamic Sociology at the University of Tunis, Abdelwahab Boudhiba, in his book Sexuality in Islam .
If there were any errors in the writings of Boudhiba, then my mistake was to quote him without referring to other sources something which I deeply regret now as it is clear that the words I have written have caused offence to some, he said.
Yesterdays forum was organised by Abim.
