The youth wings of two Muslim-based parties are set for a collision course over Serdang MP Teo Nie Ching’s alleged act of disrespect towards Muslims by speaking inside a surau in Kajang recently.

Yesterday morning, Seputeh Umno division youth wing lodged a police report accusing Teo and Selangor DAP chairperson Ean Yong Hian Wah of committing sedition.

Ean Yong was cited in the report for expressing regret against the Selangor Religious Council for planning to issue a written reprimand to Teo, who was invited to speak by the surau committee during a breaking of fast ceremony.

NONE In lodging the report, Seputeh Umno Youth chief Mohd Razlan Muhammad Rafii alleged that Teo and Ean Yong were committing seditious acts which can cause “chaos” and “religious conflicts”.

“We cannot accept Malaysians who are unfamiliar with Islamic traditions, especially those who are leaders. If they are still ignorant after 53 years of independence, we urge them to leave the country.

“I would like to remind DAP not to use Islam to gain political support. Don’t use Islam as a tool to fish for votes from Muslims,” said Mohd Razlan in a statement.

Mohd Razlan urged the Home Ministry to investigate the matter thoroughly as he expects more to come out in defence of Teo.

“An apology would not suffice because we Muslims have feel that we are gravely insulted,” he added.

Debate dare

In another development, PAS Youth, in defending Teo, have challenged Umno Youth to a debate on whether it was acceptable for non-Muslims to enter mosques and surau.

NONE “You can call it a debate, muzakarah , wacana or whatever, to allow the public to scrutinise our words,” said Selangor PAS Youth chief Hasbullah Ridzwan in a statement yesterday.

Hasbullah gave Umno Youth 14 days to respond, failing which it would mean that it concedes that its motives for attacking DAP were political, rather than religious.

In reiterating PAS’ disagreement with Umno over the issue, Hasbullah cites numerous examples described in the Quran of non-Muslims entering mosques on requests of Prophet Muhammad.

“Does Umno Youth know that the prophet had often received non-Muslim guests at the Nabawi Mosque? Is the mosques and surau in Malaysia holier than the Nabawi Mosque to the point where non-Muslims cannot enter?” asked Hasbullah.

He advised Umno to first consult experts on religion first - such as the group of religious scholars who joined the party in recent months - before issuing statements.

Teo visits another surau

Teo has been under fire for speaking at the Al Huda surau in Kajang Sentral last week and the surau committee that invited the DAP MP has since been suspended by the Selangor Religious Council.

teo nie qing giving duit raya to children bangi surau Critics, primarily Umno-owned Utusan Malaysia , have argued that Teo had insulted Muslims by speaking in front of the prayer hall, which was meant only for preachers, and for not wearing proper attire.

Teo had denied any intention to insult Muslims, claiming that she was merely fulfilling a request to deliver a short speech after the breaking of fast ceremony.

On the weekend, Teo visited another surau - the Al-Muhajirin surau in Bangi - to donate money. This time she wore a baju kurung and selendang ( photo ).