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Umno Youth exco denies insulting Islam after brickbats over 'tahlil' video for Loke
An Umno Youth exco member has defended his social media post, which was criticised for invoking Islamic rituals to poke fun at DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke’s loss in Chennah during the recent Negeri Sembilan polls.
Denying claims that he had insulted the sanctity of the religion, Wan Zuhir Wan Ghazali insisted that since the Islamic matters he mentioned were not part of the teaching’s fundamental principles, he did not disrespect Islam.
The five pillars of Islam include...
An Umno Youth exco member has defended his social media post, which was criticised for invoking Islamic rituals to poke fun at DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke’s loss in Chennah during the recent Negeri Sembilan polls.
Denying claims that he had insulted the sanctity of the religion, Wan Zuhir Wan Ghazali insisted that since the Islamic matters he mentioned were not part of the teaching’s fundamental principles, he did not disrespect Islam.
The five pillars of Islam include the declaration of faith, ritual prayer five times a day, giving charity, fasting during Ramadan, and the pilgrimage to Mecca.
“In my post, I stated ‘tengah tahlil’ (in the midst of tahlil). It means holding a ‘kenduri arwah’ (gathering for the deceased). This is something everyone generally understands,” the Pasir Mas Umno Youth committee member said in a statement to Malaysiakini.
“My question to those who so loudly accuse me of insulting Islam: is the practice of kenduri arwah a pillar of Islam? Is it a syariah with an authentic textual basis, specifically from Prophet Muhammad? The answer is clearly no.”
Tahlil for Loke
Earlier, DAP central executive committee member Sheikh Umar Bagharib Ali slammed Wan Zuhir’s “irresponsible” post, arguing that such content could tarnish Islam’s image as a religion that advocates for respect and dignity.
The Johor DAP vice-chairperson stressed that religious ceremonies such as tahlil recitation, which are typically held as a prayer gathering after deaths, should not be exploited as “material for mockery, insinuation, or a political weapon”.
The condemnation came after Wan Zuhir shared a video on social media of a group of men, including himself, sitting on the floor and reciting Islamic prayers in what was described as a tahlil.
His caption for the video on Threads said: “Doing tahlil for Loke’s burial in Chennah. Condolences.”
READ MORE: 'We die standing': Loke defends failed Chennah bid, recounts 'toughest' fight
The practice of holding tahlil for the deceased remains a matter of differing religious interpretation in Malaysia.
The Perlis Mufti Department takes a stricter position, arguing that a tahlil gathering involving specific recitations and a prescribed format to remember the deceased was not practised by Prophet Muhammad.
The Federal Territories Mufti Department, meanwhile, regards tahlil, Yasin recitations, and kenduri arwah as matters over which recognised scholarly differences exist.
It notes that the individual elements commonly found in tahlil gatherings, such as Quranic recitation, zikir, prayers for the deceased, and feeding guests, are themselves permissible in Islam.
‘Be consistent’
Responding to Sheikh Umar’s criticism, Wan Zuhir said those who wish to defend Islam should do so comprehensively, and not just speak up when their “tauke” (boss) feels threatened.
In particular, he proposed firmer stances regarding the 2024 controversy involving socks bearing the word “Allah” found in a KK Mart convenience store and the “quiet oppression” of the Malay Muslim community.
“Stop simply using the phrase ‘insulting religion’ to package political vendettas. Please look in the mirror. Allah loves His servants who repent (return to the right path),” he added.
During the Aug 1 Negeri Sembilan election, Loke lost his bid to defend the Chennah state seat for a fourth term after a close fight with his sole competitor, MCA’s Siow Kong Choon, who secured just 688 more votes than the transport minister.
While the defeat fuelled his decision to resign as the state DAP chairperson, the Seremban MP argued that he had done his best amid personal attacks from the party’s opponents.
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What a shameful attempt at scoring political points using religion in the most disgusting way. I can't imagine what would happen if it is the other way round? These people are so bankrupt of ideas that they have to use religion over and over again to campaign on. Wishing death on someone or invoking death rituals reflects not only poorly on his upbringing but also puts his religion in a bad light. What shocks me is his obstinacy. A heavy price to pay for resuscitating a dying party. Who is to blame?
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