MUKTAMAR | PAS members should not view Umno as a foe but rather help the party towards the path of righteousness, a PAS spiritual leader said.

Speaking at the Ulama wing's muktamar in Terengganu today, Hashim Jasin said PAS members cannot adopt a stern approach towards their opponents, especially Muslims, due to Umno's ignorance, secular ideology and corrupt practices in the past.

"We are fully aware of all the 'kebobrokan politik' (political blunders) that Umno committed during its 60 years as the ruling party.

"However, with the spirit of dakwah (propagation) that we have, we must work towards correcting the understanding of Islam in Umno leaders and members by getting close to them.

"We cannot see Umno and its members as enemies, as they are our target of dakwah until we can return them to the Islamic track," he added.

Hashim said PAS must take the lead in uniting the "ummah" following the changes in Malaysian politics which have "weakened" the power of Islam in politics.

He claimed this has created the space for certain quarters to sideline Islam.

"Disunity among Muslims has led to this problem. In politics, Malay Muslims have five parties - PAS, Umno, PKR, Bersatu and Amanah.

"Clearly, this situation warrants PAS to take the step towards uniting the ummah, including to have a new political cooperation with Umno.

"Since the beginning of Pakatan Rakyat's (the former opposition coalition that included PAS, PKR and DAP) victory, we have seen a rise in calls to sideline Islam, for Islamic institutions to be abolished and the spreading of devious teachings to Muslims," Hashim added.

Meanwhile, PAS ulama chief Mahfodz Mohamed (photo) told reporters that it would take time for a formal cooperation between PAS and Umno to become a reality because of their protracted rivalry.

Mahfodz said PAS was open to cooperation not only with Umno but with other parties that support the Islamic cause as well.

"Actually, we did not only refer to Umno (when speaking about PAS' readiness to cooperate with other parties).

"What is important for us is Islam and the Malays because the majority in this country are Malays and Muslims. It is not impossible that other parties would want (to uphold) Islam, and we are ready to work with them.

"But for your information, PAS and Umno have been enemies for more than 60 years. So for us to unite, it would take time. Not three months, or six, or one year. We have to do it stage by stage," Mahfodz added.