Being a non-religious person i can understand why staunch muslim
groups like PAS stay conservative and insists on certain islamic
laws that seem extreme to outsiders.
In their own malaysian states, they have enforced their own
distinctive islamic dress codes, possibly even adding separate
male/female swimming pools to further strengthen these
beliefs.
What i can't understand is why they have chosen to get involved in
our domestic issues. And sadly, we have religious zealots like
Zulfikar Mohamad Shariff who openly invite conservative parti
members to visit parents of the tudung debacle and indirectly
interfere with the local scene.
One can only question their motives as to their involvement into an
otherwise local issue. This may be a religious and constitutional
debate but it should not involve outsiders, in this case extremist
political figures like PAS. This is a clear interference of our our
domestic politics.
If Mr Zulifikar "has no political ambition and is only interested
in removing the ban", then why has he involved PAS? Surely with
such a "noble" agenda at heart, he would personally champion the
cause, starting by getting the support of the local muslim
population over the ban on tudungs?
Why then is his first action to invite PAS to become involved? They
have sent their women and youth wing leaders to speak on the issue
and urge local muslims to stand united and speak up against the
ban. They have even raised the sum of RM$10,000/- in support of the
families affected by the ban.
Yes. Zulfikar claims PAS came of their own accord thru no
invitation of his yet he surely knew of the implications and
repercussions of "entertaining" them as "guests". There is clearly
no excuse for such action unless he has an ulterior motive.
If the money and support for the families was achieved by the local
population, then it would surely be recognised as local support for
the lifting of the ban, not to mention the importance this weighs
on the minds of our local muslim community.
In this case, it only shows an outside political party and an
individual chasing a personal agenda and ambition. Question marks
will be raised as to the credibility of Mr Zulfikar to undermine
the local muslim's unity by trying to divide them between taking
possibly extreme action to oppose the ban, and adopting a
gentlemanly approach to resolve the matter, as we have always
done.
PAS shd be made persona non grata and politely asked to leave our
borders before they create a serious problem to our nation's racial
unity.
[This message has been edited by controversay (edited 24 May
2002).]