Zafrul slammed over Umno banner at Klang mosque 'korban' event

Selangor PAS Youth has slammed Umno minister Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz for "politicking" at a mosque in Klang by carrying out ibadah korban (animal sacrificial rites) for Hari Raya Aidiladha on Monday.

Its chief Mohamed Sukri Omar particularly took offence with an Umno banner displayed at the event, which he noted went against the Selangor ruler's directive against holding any political activities or programmes in mosques or surau in the state.

"Selangor PAS Youth vehemently condemns the Kota Raja Umno division's act of using a mosque for political means by holding the 'korban' event at the Masjid An Naim mosque in Jalan Kebun, Klang.

"The political agenda of the event was clear by the display of an Umno banner at the venue. This clearly goes against the decree by the Selangor sultan banning political parties from politicking in places of worship," Sukri said in a statement today.

As the Kota Raja Umno chief, Zafrul should have been aware of the ethics of keeping mosques free from politics, Sukri added.

"Do not hide behind holding sacrificial rites to slip your political agenda into mosques."

'Don't let politics divide people'

Zafrul, who is the Investment, Trade and Industry minister, posted on Facebook on Monday that a total of 47 cows were sacrificed during the event.

"I arrived (at the event) a bit late and managed to (participate in the) slaughter (of) two cows only," he wrote.

The Selangor Islamic Religious Council (Mais) has imposed a ban on politicking in mosques or surau in the state.

Any action that insulted, disobeyed, violated or disputed the orders of the Selangor ruler or instructions by Mais can be prosecuted according to Section 12(a) or (b) of the Syariah Criminal Offences (Selangor) Enactment 1995.

Sukri further urged all quarters to do politics maturely and peacefully.

"The mosque needs to be a place for the community to unite, regardless of party background, race, or social status.

"Don't let narrow political culture continue dividing the people," he said.

Malaysiakini has reached out to Zafrul for comment.

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