Islam's political win important, Hadi reminds haj-bound Muslims

Summary

• Abdul Hadi Awang says Muslims must postpone plans to perform their pilgrimages until Islam has secured a victory in national politics.

• The PAS president says God has forbidden non-Muslims from holding higher positions of power than Muslims.

AYER KUNING POLLS | PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang has reiterated calls for the Muslim community to prioritise a win in the nation’s politics, including by postponing plans to perform their haj to Mecca.

Citing lessons from the life of Prophet Muhammad, he stressed that the political dominance of Muslims over those from other religions is a matter willed by God.

However, he repeated previous grouses, asserting that Muslims here are more intent on fulfilling their pilgrimages rather than working towards achieving control over the nation.

“God does not allow non-Muslims to be above Muslims in the governance of a country,” he said during a Perikatan Nasional ceramah for the Ayer Kuning by-election at Tanjung Keramat, Perak.

“We must understand that a political victory for Islam is very important. Islam must be in power and lead (the nation).”

The haj season this year is set to commence later this month, with the first flight scheduled for April 29 - three days after voting day for the Ayer Kuning polls.

Protect boundaries

He also said that while Muslims have a “right” to govern the nation, the rights of non-Muslims are respected and acknowledged, so long as haram (forbidden) practices are kept away from Muslims.

“We cannot force them (non-Muslims) to convert to Islam and leave behind things considered haram in Islam... but, we have our boundaries with them.

“We’re not preventing them (from exercising their rights), but don’t go over our boundaries,” he added.

Following the 2022 general election, Hadi lamented the alleged poor turnout by Muslim voters and said not voting may be a huge sin.

He also bemoaned how some Muslim voters had “given an excuse” that they were performing the haj or umrah, while also accusing some of waiting for payment to vote.

Ayer Kuning voters will head to the polls after a two-week campaign period, with PN fielding Tapah PN chief Abd Muhaimin Malek while BN has opted to put forth Tapah Umno secretary Yusri Bakir.

PSM deputy secretary-general Bawani KS makes up the three-cornered race for the state seat, which was declared vacant following the death of its incumbent assemblyperson, Ishsam Shahruddin on Feb 22.

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