Shah Alam MP Khalid Samad today slammed Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (Isma) for ‘popularising’ the beer festival Oktoberfest.

He also countered claims that there were billboards advertising the event.

“Where are the billboards? The Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) has said that no such billboards were approved.

“I am sure that it is Isma and Umno cyber troopers who purposely want to exaggerate the matter,” he said, in a blog post today.

Khalid said Muslims only knew about the festival after Isma made it ‘popular’.

“Since it was Isma who made it popular, why should non-Muslims be blamed? Who asked Isma to be so busybody as to advertise it?”

Khalid ( left ) had earlier defended the event’s hosting, saying that in order for non-Muslims to live peacefully under Islamic rule, their rights cannot be encroached.

“As such, they are allowed to eat food that is prohibited for Muslims, such as pork. This goes for what they drink.”

Although Islam is the federal religion, Khalid said it should not be an excuse for the non-Muslims’ rights to be disregarded.

“This should not be the excuse to force the non-Muslims, that would be chauvinistic Islam, as championed by Isma,” he said.

Countering those who said that non-Muslims will soon ask for sex parties, he pointed out that no religion permits free sex.

“We should not use that argument in permitting non-Muslims to drink alcohol,” he said.

‘Halt event’

Meanwhile, Kedah PAS Youth said although Islam does not prohibit non-Muslims from drinking alcohol, it should not be celebrated.

“There is no scripture which says so (that drinking alcohol should be celebrated),” said Kedah PAS Youth information chief Ahmad Tarmizi Sulaiman.

He then urged the federal and state governments as well as the local authorities to halt the event.

Pointing out that the root problem lies with the federal government as the process of giving the licence starts in Parliament, he said the state government and local authorities had roles to play as well.

Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia (Abim) president Amidi Abdul Manan ( left ), meanwhile, said that no religion permits its followers to live under the influence of alcohol.

“Be it Christianity, Hinduism or Buddhism, all religions want its followers to live in peace and harmony,” he said, claiming that the hosting of the event came from those who were ‘colonised’ by bad influences from the West.

Originating in 19th century Bavaria, Oktoberfest 2014 kicked off in Malaysia at a Subang hotel on Sept 24, and is being held at various venues in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur.

The grand finale, to be held One Utama shopping mall at Petaling Jaya from Oct 10 to 12, is expected to attract 12,000 beer enthusists.

Related stories

DAP rep: Beer fest ad in English, so not for Muslims

 

Selangor never approved Oktoberfest, says exco