Perlis mufti: Learn from those like Che Guevara
Amidst mounting tension over a planned mass rally this weekend, Perlis mufti Asri Zainul Abidin commented that Muslims should study the struggles of past revolutionaries such as Che Guevera and Nelson Mandela as examples to follow.
"Muslims, apart from reading and studying the history of champions of Islam, should also look at other revolutionaries from various backgrounds so we broaden our horizons.
"Even if we do not agree (with the ideology), we should recognise their determination and learn their strategies.
"In fact, it is not wrong if we acknowledge the virtues of their struggle and join in, if it is something that is virtuous," said Asri on his Facebook today.
He expressed admiration for the sincerity of those like Guevera, Mandela, Mahatma Gandhi, and William Wilberforce for their noble struggles.
"Mandela was also an impressive freedom fighter," said Asri, praising the South African leader's ‘Long Walk to Freedom’ as inspiring, for his willingness to bear immeasurable suffering to achieve his goals.
He concluded that even the Prophet Muhamad supported the idea of virtuous struggle, citing the case of the pre-Islamic Quraish tribe which the Prophet once said was worthy of praise because at the core of their struggle was a desire to protect the downtrodden.
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