The religious bureau of the Umno Veterans Council has urged the highest authorities on Islamic matters in the country to look into a statement of PAS spiritual leader Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat.

Bureau chairperson Mohd Noor Deris said today the conference of rulers and the National Fatwa Council should examine Nik Aziz's assertion that people who did not vote for PAS were jahiliah or ignorant.

The Kelantan mentri besar's statement, made in the run-up to the Tenang by-election, was contrary to religious teachings and could split Muslims, Mohd Noor told reporters in Kota Bharu.

He and his bureau challenged Nik Aziz to a debate on the matter, saying that the PAS leader had often made false statements about Umno in relation to Islam.

- Bernama