'Umno no real champion of Islam'
PAS has condemned the persistent attacks on it by Umno and has likened the Malay party's ‘defenders-of-the-faith' heroics as a hypocritical regime that is always posturing.
PAS has condemned the persistent attacks on it by Umno and has likened the Malay party's ‘defenders-of-the-faith' heroics as a hypocritical regime that is always posturing.
"Looking at all this posturing, we can't avoid asking: Is Umno consistent in championing the faith of Muslims? Or is it a political ploy to defeat its political opponents," asked the Islamic party‘s research department executive director Dzulkefly Ahmad in a blog posting.
Without naming names, he recounted the latest round of attack from what he termed as an Umno hired-political analyst who accused PAS of suffering from "political schizophrenia" for allegedly being split on key issues.
The analyst, he claimed, portrayed PAS Youth chief Nasruddin Hassan and Selangor exco Hasan Ali as being estranged from the central party leadership, something which Dzulkefly ( left ) vehemently denied.
"The attempt to pit PAS leaders against one another is way off the mark," said the MP for Kuala Selangor and PAS central committee member.
Dzulkefly also rubbished Perkasa president Ibrahim Ali's statements on PAS kow-towing to its Pakatan ally DAP in Umno-owned Malay language daily Utusan Malaysia in attempts to split the opposition as "emotional outbursts" of those trying to appear to be defenders of Islam.
He also lumped similar and sudden pro-Islam statements by PKR turncoats Ezzam Mohd Nor, Lokman Adam as well as BN-friendly independent MP Zulkifli Nordin as coming from the same ilk.
PAS wrongfully vilified
He said PAS leaders were also heavily criticised by the newly vocal ‘defenders of the faith' for being silent on matters raised by them.
However, Dzulkefly said, PAS never did and would not dance to Umno's tunes to prove who was the real champion of the faith.
"The reason is clear. The tradition of protecting the faith and morals of Muslims has been the foundation of PAS' struggle and is enshrined in its constitution."
The MP said it was timely to remind everyone that PAS did respond on many of the issues, such as the Selangor Islamic Affairs Department's ‘raid' on a fund-raising dinner in a hall on church grounds two weeks ago.
He said PAS' decision for a consultation with all parties concerned was a solution that he believed was not only effective but showcased the Islamic party's political maturity in handling sensitive issues.
Politics, Dzulkefly said, was a noble arena where one could earn the blessings of God, but had been polluted by the vile actions of the likes of the Malay party.
"Maybe this is all not wrong from Umno's perspective. But do not let their bad political intentions, couched in religious terms, sully the sanctity of Islam."
‘Islam not under siege'
Umno's hypocrisy in this matter, he said, was clear from historical events, and he went on to recount the party's attack on former Selangor mufti Ishak Baharom, who was unceremoniously ejected from office after he moved to stop Muslims from participating in beauty pageants.
At the time, Dzulkefly said, the BN-controlled media launched a crusade against the mufti and bludgeoned him to public oblivion.
According to Islam, he added, the faith must be defended and built upon knowledge and understanding.
"Shouting, crying out and demonstrating alone do not ensure that Muslims hold fast to their faith. It is not the way to encourage and develop belief. Allowing the populace to be buoyed by excessive entertainment will also not help to protect the faith."
As such, Dzulkefly argued, the responsibility to build the faith lay upon the shoulders of the political and religious leaders, and required a holistic and consistent solution.
"The position of Islam as the federal religion does not need to be reinforced with ‘arrogance', but must be represented with good conduct and the expression of love to all.
"There is something wrong with Islamic authorities in this country who fail to understand that Islam is not ‘under siege'," he said, as as some who did not understand what Islam really is were trying to portray.
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