Anwar hits out at tendency to label others ‘munafik’

Anwar hits out at tendency to label others ‘munafik’

5 hours ago

FMT Reporters

This comes after PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan refused to retract parliamentary remarks containing the word, which means ‘hypocrite’.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim expressed regret that despite the government’s efforts to strengthen religious education, accusations of hypocrisy continue to be levelled against the government’s leadership and the budget. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA:

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has criticised the tendency of certain parties to label other Muslims as “munafik” (hypocrites) and infidels over differences in views, saying such behaviour does not reflect the moral conduct and character demanded by Islam.

Anwar said such people tended to judge others based on their limited knowledge of religion, and called on them to deepen their understanding of Islam.

“(These people) learn a little religion and proceed to judge others and call them infidels and hypocrites,” he was quoted by Kosmo as saying at an event at Kompleks Seri Perdana in Putrajaya today.

He expressed regret that despite the government’s efforts to revive pondok schools and strengthen religious education, accusations of hypocrisy continued to be levelled against the government’s leadership and the budget.

“When it was debated in Parliament, they called the leader a hypocrite and the budget hypocritical,” he said.

His remarks come after Perikatan Nasional chief whip Takiyuddin Hassan refused to retract his use of the word “munafik” in the Dewan Rakyat.

The PAS secretary-general made the remarks during the 2027 budget debate last week, prompting protests from Jelutong MP RSN Rayer, who claimed that Takiyuddin had directed his translation of a hadith into Malay and his use of the word “munafik” at Anwar and the budget.

Speaker Johari Abdul later reminded MPs to be cautious when using religious terms during debates, saying such language could lead to misunderstandings and prolonged arguments in the House.

He said the use of terms such as “munafik” may seem normal to those with deep religious knowledge, but could cause undue concern among those less familiar with their meanings, including non-Muslims.