It is illogical to expect non-Muslims to believe that Islam is a superior religion to that they adhere to, says PAS central committee member Dzulkefly Ahmad.

Weighing in on what he believes is now a "vicious" debate on religious pluralism, he thus urged debate on pluralism to focus less on theological “superiority” as it is a "zero-sum game".

"For Muslims, our faith is such that we believe Islam is the truth...

"Similarly, Muslims should be reminded that non-Muslims, be it followers Abrahamic faiths or not, see it conversely.

"In their view, their religion is the most true. Why would they adhere to their religion if they feel Islam is closer to the truth?" he asked in an email to Malaysiakini .

Dzulkefly (left) said that although Islam does not place all religions in the same standing, Islam teaches conciliation.

"The emphasis is on the fact that all religion can preach their truths, and this need not be relativized, reduced or deconstructed because it is forbidden to equate all religions as the same.

"From this, we know that the discourse should then not be about which religion is more superior or followers of which religion will go to heaven to condemned to hell," he said.

Bogeyman

As such, he said, the term "religious pluralism" should not be used as a type of bogeyman.

Dzulkefly, who heads PAS' research centre was commenting on the fatwa by the Selangor Islamic Affairs Council against NGO Sisters of Islam for allegedly spreading "liberalism" and "pluralism".

The July fatwa, which SIS is challenging via a judicial review, also bans SIS and other quarters from publishing the NGO’s views.

Meanwhile, Dzulkefly said the aim of political Islam should be to move towards betterment of society.

Thus, discourse should steer away from theology and move towards how each religion can better society.

"Any discussion on religious pluralism…should aim for amicable ties between religions and the positive impact of religion in society," he said.

He said such a discourse could combat extremism and match the ethos of wasatiyyah (moderation) preached by Islam.

"Shouldn’t Islamic faith and practice come from sincere piety and belief in God, and not force or pressure?" he asked.

Dzulkefly shares his views with several PAS MPs who called for Mais to hold a dialogue with SIS instead of issuing a fatwa against them.

However, this was contended by PAS Youth deputy chief Muhammad Khalil Abdul Hadi who slammed SIS for being "deviant". 

Mais also said that it had consulted SIS before issuing the fatwa.