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3 June 2019
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Muslims should more careful when faced with the agenda of the ‘enemies of Islam’ who try and restrict or slow down the Islamic movement.
One of these plans is the “liberalisation movement, which runs parallel with missionary and orientalist movements,” PAS information chief Nasrudin Hassan said in a statement yesterday.
“Their idea is to neutralise religious and religious practices in Islam through shared charities and actions with other religions in the name of racial unity and harmony,” he said.
This comes as the latest salvo in the war of words over the presentation of zakat contributions by non-Muslim Pakatan Harapan leaders, and the breaking of fast by PKR’s Johor Bahru MP Akmal Nasir in a Sikh gurdwara.
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Nasrudin warned of tactics of dilution, saying that this liberal interfaith movement also tried to put Islam and other religions on an equal footing by saying that “all religions preach good values and encourage followers to attain a place in heaven.”
“Mixing up special religious matters in Islam with customary and cultural practices will result in the special worship not being practised in accordance with the proper ritual arrangements,” he added.
Targets of liberalisation
According to Nasrudin, the targets of liberalisation are Muslims who do not study Islam and are easily deceived by the “slogan of equality and racial harmony.”
Nasrudin said the movement was trying to affect the confidence of Muslims in their own religion.
“They want to destroy the spirit of the Muslims to pursue syariah. They want to push the argument that Islamic law does not need to be accepted because of the plural society and the respect for religious diversity.
“Ultimately, they want Muslims not to feel guilty if they want to change their religion,” he said.
“Islam is a religion of affection. Islam also maintains racial relations by respecting their rights even though they are non-Muslims.”
“But Islam has a boundary line that needs to be obeyed. It is an exclusive right that can not be ignored.
“Do not cross the border that God has set,” he added.
https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/478399
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2 June 2019
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PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution has urged Muslims to follow the true teachings and practices of the Prophet to deal with interfaith issues.
Saifuddin, who is also domestic trade and consumer affairs minister, said complying with the Prophet’s teachings would prevent any quarters from “hijacking” the understanding of Islam.
Met in Bukit Mertajam last night during an iftar event, Saifuddin said one must be guided by the Prophet’s actions, adding that the practices of the Prophet and his companions were very clear on the issue.
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Saifuddin then quoted another Islamic scholar, who wrote a book saying that non-Muslims have complete freedom of worship alongside Muslims and can even perform their prayers in the mosque.
He whipped out the book The Higher Objective of Humanity by Azman Hussin, who related the story of a Christian delegation who visited the Prophet in Medina.
The Prophet kindly hosted them in the mosque, where they also performed their prayers and Christian service there, Saifuddin said.
“What does he mean? It means Christians are allowed to enter mosques. In this story, they were even allowed to perform their prayers and services. As a Muslim, I am giving my views about these issues, based on the teachings given during the life and times of the Prophet.
“I do not want to give my views on how the Malay Muslims want to understand the issue, based on their own practices in the country. I prefer to give my views based on a strong reference given by the Prophet or Caliph Umar who lived during his time,” he added.
“So if there are people in this country who want to give their own interpretation, I leave it to them. But I urge Muslims to understand the true teachings of Islam, so that they will not be confused.”
Saifuddin said allowing certain quarters to hijack the understanding of Islam does not help in this multiracial country like Malaysia.
“If we follow the true teachings and practices of the Prophet, it (interfaith actions) is allowed.
“When there are different groups saying it is not allowed, we have a problem,” he added.
https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/478319
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Sultan rebukes Johor Bahru MP over ‘insensitive’ interfaith buka puasa
Johor’s Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar has issued a royal rebuke against Johor Bahru MP Akmal Nasir for being part of an interfaith breaking fast event at a gurdwara (Sikh temple) in the state on Tuesday.
In a statement today, Sultan Ibrahim said the event had caused unease among Muslims due to “insensitive” actions.
He also said such events at non-Muslim houses of worship also presented an opportunity to proselytise to Muslims.
“When a Muslim intentionally attends a temple on the premise of attending a buka puasa event with non-Muslims, this opens space for non-Muslims to preach their religion to that Muslim,” he said.
He said this could lead to Muslims holding other religious events such as prayers, distributing zakat (tithes), korban (ritual sacrifice), tahlil (supplications for the deceased), funeral prayers, celebrating Haj pilgrims, wedding solemnisation and other such events at non-Muslim houses of worship.
“As the head of Islam in this state, I will not allow any action which will cause Islam to be looked at in disgust or lowly,” the monarch said.
“My family and I frequently attend to celebrate festivities of other races and religions in the state at their places (of worship) but do not bring Muslim worship practices to their premises as was done by the parliamentarian,” he added.
The breaking fast event on Tuesday was the second time Akmal had attended such an event at the Gurdwara Sahib in Johor Bahru.
https://www.malaysia-chronicle.com/?p=165765
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There is no issue with Muslims breaking their Ramadan fast at a non-Muslim house of worship, said de facto Islamic affairs minister Mujahid Yusof Rawa.
Bernama quoted him today as saying that Johor Bahru MP Akmal Nasir attending a breaking fast event at a gurdwara (Sikh temple) was only to foster better ties between the races.
“This is not an issue that should be played up […] only certain people want to sensationalise religious issues, close-mindedness and racism.
“I worry this could lead to Islamophobia,” Mujahid said at a press conference in Parit Buntar earlier today.
The minister also pointed out that the event attended by the PKR lawmaker was held in a hall and not at the Sikh prayer area.
The minister’s remarks were made prior to Johor Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar’s issued rebuke against Akmal.
Sultan Ibrahim said allowing Islamic practises to be held at non-Muslim houses of worship would open Muslims to proselytisation.
The monarch said the interfaith buka puasa event Akmal attended also ignored Muslim sensitivities.
The breaking fast event on Tuesday was the second time the Johor Bahru MP had attended such an event at the Gurdwara Sahib in his constituency.
In a Facebook posting defending the event, he said he only decided to attend last year after discovering the food consumed by the Sikh community at the gurdwara was 100 percent vegan – which meant it was free of any animal product including milk, eggs and honey.
He said the gurdwara had also prepared an empty hall for visiting Muslims to perform their maghrib prayers which was separate from the Sikh prayer area.
https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/478297
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weehingthong 