The proposal from the Young Umno Ulama Secretariat working committee for the formation of an ulama council has gathered steam, as two more party supreme council members have given the move their backing.

Felcra chairperson Tajuddin Abdul Rahman, who is also Pasir Salak MP, said the participation of ulama in the party is not new and it should not be a problem to gather all of them under one movement as this will pull in more party members.

Another supreme council member, Idris Haron, said its formation will certainly pull more religious scholars to contribute to the party in matters pertaining to leadership and administration.

“In the past Umno has been consistent in its Islamic struggle as the views aired by religious scholars are taken into account,” he said.

NONE Prior to this, Umno vice-president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi ( right ) had expressed support for the council’s formation.

Its formation also received positive views from those outside the party, where political analyst Maszlee Malek suggested that the proposed council be given powers to chart the party’s direction.

“There are those who want to use ulama to fight on certain issues related to Islam,” he said.

Meanwhile, Perkasa president Ibrahim Ali suggested that the government form a national ulama council rather than form a council within Umno, as the PAS ulama council had failed to work for national unity.

“A national ulama council can work towards uniting Muslims rather than it being placed in party,” he said.

“In actuality ulama should be independent so as not to tarnish Islam’s credibility. There are ulama within PAS who only issue statements for their party’s political survival or they choose to keep quiet,” he said.