PAS claims KL mosque misused by Umno

Dr Lo'Lo' believes that Umno is disingenuous in wanting to keep mosques neutral. - Picture by Choo Choy May

PAS lawmaker Dr Lo’Lo’ Ghazali claimed today that a mosque in her constituency was misused by Umno leaders early this week for political campaigning.

The Titiwangsa MP added that by allowing Umno leaders to give political speeches at the Alam Shah Mosque near here, the Federal Territories Islamic Department (JAWI) had violated a directive by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

“After the Isya prayers led by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Jamil Khir Baharom, the event was filled with speeches by Cheras Umno chief, acting Titiwangsa Umno chief and the minister,” Dr Lo’lo’ told a press conference here.

She said the “meet the people” event was organised by JAWI and its director-general Datuk Che Mat Che Ali had admitted to inviting local Umno leaders to the event.

“The master of ceremony, Umno leaders and the minister did not acknowledge the presence of Titiwangsa MP although they were already informed by the director-general,” said Dr Lo’lo’.

The PAS central committee member said prior to last Monday’s event, Jamil Khir had attended at least five similar Umno-backed programmes in mosques located in all Parliamentary constituencies in Kuala Lumpur.

She added that the Umno leaders should have used the mosque as a platform to unite the Muslim community.

“The Cheras Umno chief Datuk Syed Ali Alhabshee said we care about the Malays and Muslims, that is why we are here but at the same time they ignored us,” said Dr Lo’lo’.

“The minister hand-picked to be in charge of Islamic affairs should have used the event as an opportunity to show that we are united and that political differences does not exist in mosque,” she added.

Dr Lo’lo’ also claimed that JAWI had refused to cooperate with PAS to organise Islamic events with the party.

“When I proposed that PAS work with JAWI after the programem the director-general said we can make an application, but realising the political implication of his reply, he said he would have study it thoroughly because PAS is not in control of the government,” said Dr Lo’lo’.

She added that JAWI should be consistent if the federal body is serious about banning political activities in mosques.

courtesy of Malaysian Insider