The attacks against Islam have reached unprecedented heights and necessitate the closing of ranks and the cutting across of party lines, PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang declared today.

It has become incumbent upon Muslims, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and the relevant authorities to defend the position of Islam in the face of the crisis and challenges besetting the religion, he said.

"Never before in the history of this country has the position of Islam been as strongly challenged as it is today," he said in his policy speech at the opening of PAS muktamar (general meeting) today in Alor Star, Kedah.

He cited Articles 3, 12 (2), 150 (6A), 121 (1A), 11 (4) and Schedule 9, List II, of the Federal Constitution as examples of legislation pertaining to Islam that are currently under threat or challenged.

Efforts to set up the Inter-Faith Commission have fused into the Article 11 coalition, said Abdul Hadi, referring to the umbrella organisation calling for the rollback of state powers over Islamic matters.

"This coordinated effort is composed not only of non-Muslims but those who profess Islam as well, particularly legal practitioners," he told over 1,000 PAS delegates at the Fadzil Noor Hall of the recently opened state party headquarters.

'Who triggered it'

Abdul Hadi also suggested that if the Article 11-organised 'road-show' to advocate rolling back the powers of the religious authorities was described as a democratic right, so would the disruption to its recent forum in Penang by about 500 demonstrators.

"If (the road show) was said to be democratic, then it invited the spontaneous democratic response that is now described as being extremist.

"But who triggered it? Who permitted it? Who really hijacked freedom and democracy in this country?" he asked.

"It is important that the goals and interests of Islam be seen from a perspective that cuts across mere political interests," he added.

Abdul Hadi also said that it was the responsibility of everybody to protect the dignity, status and position of the religion.

"PAS wants everyone, including followers of other religions, to be concerned with the practice and peaceful existence of each religion and not to allow religion to be attacked by liberal-secular parties who are anti-religion and anti-God," he asserted.

On May 14, a jointly held forum by Article 11 and Aliran on freedom of religion was stopped by police after a 200-strong mob, said to be led by Badai, had protested outside the venue.

Article 11, which is a coalition of 14 NGOs, has since made a slew of police reports against the mob.

Suaram, a member of Article 11, said that the forum had 'nothing to do' with the Inter-Faith Commission which the demonstrators seemed to have found so offensive.