PUTRAJAYA: The National Fatwa Council and the country’s ulamak should give their expert views on PAS’ disparaging remarks about Umno and the kind of Islam that its leaders are practising to set the record straight “once and for all”.
Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the ulamak should give their views on the matter because they were experts in the field and should prevent the issue from being politicised.
“I anticipated that this would happen and it looks like my prediction is right. I understand the religion but if I make a statement, people will give it a political connotation as I would be replying in my capacity as the Deputy Prime Minister and Umno deputy president.
“That is why I believe it is good if the fatwa council or the ulamak give their views on remarks issued by PAS leaders, including (spiritual leader and Kelantan Mentri Besar Datuk) Nik Aziz (Nik Mat). The sooner the ulamak do this, the better,” he said.
The Deputy Prime Minister was speaking after launching a book titled Leadership Evolution Serie 1: A Look at Selected Theories by Prof Khairil Annas Jusof, special officer to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
Nik Aziz had said that Islam practised by Umno members would not get Muslims to heaven and that Islam as preached by PAS was different from the Islam practised by Umno, which was a form of “false Islam”.
Muhyiddin said one should exercise care when talking about Islam, be it during everyday life or during elections, adding that other PAS leaders should advise Nik Aziz to be more careful when talking about the religion.
He said Umno under Najib’s leadership had been “open and friendly” towards the Islamist party and that it was willing to work together to develop the country and work towards the common good of Muslims.
“But political and religious accusations hurled against us like the recent one is making things difficult (for us to work together),” he said.
In Kota Baru, Nik Aziz said the mainstream media were putting words in his mouth to ridicule him. “I categorically deny that I used the word ‘Palestine’ or ‘members’ in the interview. This goes to show that the mainstream media is trying to pit me against Palestine State and Umno members,” he told reporters at his office here in Kota Darul Naim yesterday.
Nik Abdul Aziz said he would leave the matter to his lawyers to take further action.
He also chided Perak Mufti Tan Sri Harussani Zakaria for commenting on his remarks based on newspaper reports and for not referring the matter to him on a personal basis. - The Star.
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