'Biadab' - PAS Youth slams DAP counterpart over interfaith guidelines


Published: Feb 6, 2025 12:24 PM
Updated: 3:32 PM


Summary

• PAS Youth has called DAP Youth “biadap” (insolent) after it objected to proposed new guidelines for Muslim involvement in events at non-Islamic places of worship.

• In defending the need for the guidelines to preserve Muslims’ ‘aqidah’, Afnan Hamimi Taib Azamudden questions who is DAP Youth to dispute guidelines and interfere in Muslim affairs.

• Muslims will not bow to any attempt to undermine their religious rights, PAS Youth chief adds.

PAS Youth has condemned its DAP counterpart for opposing the government’s proposed guidelines on Muslim participation in events at non-Islamic houses of worship, calling their stance “biadab (insolent) and irresponsible interference.”

PAS Youth chief Afnan Hamimi Taib Azamudden defended the need for these guidelines, asserting that they are necessary to safeguard the faith (aqidah) of Muslims and maintain Islam’s position as the religion of the federation.

He said DAP Youth's actions reflected “arrogance and ignorance” in understanding the religious framework of the country, questioning their authority to challenge Islamic matters.

“The guidelines are not an oppressive restriction but a necessity to ensure that the faith of Muslims remains safeguarded.

“Malaysia upholds Islam as the religion of the Federation, and decisions on religious matters rest with authoritative bodies such as the National Fatwa Council and Islamic Development Department.

"Who is DAP Youth to dispute this? What right does it have to interfere in Muslim affairs when it holds no authority on the matter?” Afnan asked in a statement today.

He stressed that PAS Youth will not remain silent when "external parties" attempt to push an "extreme liberal agenda".

Afnan further claimed that DAP Youth's stance not only demonstrates their arrogance but also appears to challenge the position of Islam in the country.

"Is it (DAP Youth) trying to pave the way for further provocations against Islam? Or has it simply never learned from past mistakes?" he added.

Proposed interfaith event guidelines

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Na’im Mokhtar announced in a written parliamentary reply issued yesterday that the proposed guidelines seek to regulate Muslim participation in such events, ensuring that they do not contain elements that could offend Muslim sensitivities.

This includes requiring prior approval from religious authorities and prohibiting religious propaganda, performances or speeches that mock Islam, or holding events near mosques and surau.

DAP Youth leaders, including its chief Woo Kah Leong, yesterday urged the government to maintain the status quo, arguing that the new guidelines could further divide Muslims and non-Muslims and restrict interactions that promote unity.

DAP Youth chief Woo Kah Leong

Woo cited the attendance of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar and Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah at non-Muslim religious and cultural events as examples of the existing harmony between different communities.

‘No submission’

PAS Youth, however, dismissed this argument, insisting that Muslims will not bow to any attempt to undermine their religious rights.

kt asks: Siapakah yang biadap?

“We remind everyone that Muslims will not submit to any party attempting to deny our right to protect the sanctity of our religion.

“If DAP Youth truly cares about harmony, it should respect the guidelines instead of interfering in matters that do not concern them,” Afnan said.

He warned that the Islamic party would take firmer action if DAP Youth continued to challenge Islamic policies.

“Enough with such insolence. Do not play with fire when it comes to Malaysian Muslims. We will continue to defend our religion no matter what.”

The muzakarah committee of the National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs is expected to finalise the new guidelines at the end of the month.