Why is Umno interfering in and determining the appointment of mosque executive committees in Selangor if it really wanted politics to be kept out of places of worship?

This was one of the questions posed by PAS in a memorandum of protest to the Director of the Islamic Religious Department of Selangor (Jais) Mansur Ramli

The memorandum was submitted by a PAS delegation, led by its Ampang Jaya branch Youth chief Daud Mamat at the Jais office in Shah Alam yesterday.

Among the complaints, was this week's dissolution of the executive committee of Masjid Fatimah Azzahrah in Taman Kosas, Ampang and the appointment of new exco members by the religious department.

Masjid Fatimah Azzahrah has been rumoured to be the next mosque slated for 'Umno-nisation' following complaints that it conducted programmes which were laced with anti-government sentiments.

However, mosque officials denied that their programmes were politically motivated and stressed that they invite religious scholars, regardless of their political backgrounds, to their educational programmes.

Despite their explanation, the new exco line-up was decided following a meeting with Jais officials on Tuesday.

The memorandum by PAS follows on the heels of aggressive efforts, allegedly by Umno branches in the state, to 'win over' mosques perceived to be the opposition party's strongholds.

Much of the ' battle ' is centered around three mosques in particular: Masjid Al-Hidayah in Kelana Jaya, Masjid Al-Munawwarah in Shah Alam, and Masjid Darul Ehsan in Subang Jaya.

In May 2000, 13 mosques in the Petaling district Jaya formed an 'Action Committee' to tackle the dissolution of mosque executive committees and appointment of the so-called Umno backed officials.

Legal action

Meanwhile, a source within the executive committee of Masjid Fatimah Azzahrah said they will be taking legal action against Jais for 'unlawful interference' in the mosque's administration.

Despite the religious department being legally empowered to oversee the administration of mosques in the state, including the dissolution and appointment of executive committees, the source is confident of their chances.

"Jais contributes nothing in terms of finances to the operations of the mosque, so we are not bound to do as they say," he said.

Furthermore, he added Jais' dissolution and appointment of new committee members was done without consulting people of the community that the mosque belongs to.

Commenting on the matter, PAS central committee member Dr Hatta Ramli said it was unfortunate that Jais had chosen to assert its powers in such a manner.

"However, Umno is mistaken in thinking that the loss of these mosques means a loss for PAS.

"PAS is not losing anything. Its sad, because it's the Muslims who are deprived of avenues for learning (in the mosques' educational programmes). What they are doing is unhealthy and selfish," he stressed when contacted.

Hatta Ramli had also recently moderated a video documentary, entitled Umno Rampas Masjid (Umno seizes mosques) on the issue.

In a related development, PAS Selangor Youth chief Sallehen Mukhyi plans to approach Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah regarding the matter.

When contacted, Jais' director Mansur declined to comment.