PAS Youth has urged the National Fatwa Council to state its position on the possibility that polls can be called during the haj pilgrimage season.

In a press release today, PAS Youth deputy chief Nik Abduh Nik Abdul Aziz said the matter was of importance because 20,000 pilgrims are expected to fulfill their haj obligations this year.

He said that should polls be called during the haj season, which will encompass most of the month of October, and the pilgrims will not be able to exercise their right to vote.

“If the council can voice out and issue a edict ( fatwa ) on the opposition’s activities, it is then justified in doing the same to the Malaysian government,” he said.

Nik Abduh was referring to a recent edict barring Muslims from participating in illegal demonstrations, that was issued about one week after the Bersih 3.0 rally.

He argued that the council should apply the same vigilance in advising the federal government, which has been silent on this issue.

"PAS Youth hopes that those entrusted with this duty not to take the matter lightly and do not side with interested parties only," he said.

Last week, PAS information chief Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man had come under fire after he had called on PAS members to postpone their haj obligations.

He said that this was necessary because there was a possibility that polls could be called in October, after Aidilfitri celebrations.

Clarifying his earlier comments, Tuan Ibrahim later called on Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak to promise that the general election will not be held in October.

Najib's term as premier ends in March 2013 but he has yet to provide an indication on when polls will be held.