Muslim scholars call Anwar ‘anti-Islam’

Anwar was accused of supporting religious pluralism in his talks. — file pic

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 15 — Islamic scholars from government departments and NGOs gathered yesterday to demonise Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for allegedly undermining the Islamic faith for political mileage.

The scholars at the forum also issued reminders to other Muslim leaders, including Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, to refrain from attending other religious celebrations, claiming that it would threaten the position of Islam as a supreme religion.

A speaker at the forum, Dr Yusri Mohammad, claimed that Anwar has been promoting religious pluralism through his think tank, the Institute for Policy Research (IKD).

The forum, organised by Muslim NGO Muafakat, claimed that religious pluralism promotes religious equality and supports freedom to convert out of Islam.

Apart from Muafakat, the forum was also supported by government agencies such as the Selangor Islamic department (Jais), Federal Territory Mufti Department, federal Islamic missionary foundation (Yadim) and Information Ministry’s Special Affairs Department (Jasa).

“If you look at Anwar, when commenting on certain issues like the use of Allah by the non-Muslims, he has been very supportive and consistent about it,” said Yusri as quoted by Malay daily Utusan Malaysia.

The Umno-owned newspaper gave extensive coverage to the event, with a front-page lead headlined “Awas Ancaman Pluralisme” (Beware of pluralism threat).

Yusri added that IKD, headed by Anwar’s former press secretary Khalid Jaafar, with its sister organisation, the Middle Eastern Graduates Centre, have been publishing “dangerous” books that promote religious equality.

Yusri also claimed that Anwar had openly expressed his support of religious pluralism in his lecture at the London School of Economics last March entitled “Religion and pluralism in a divided world”.

“This is the result of IKD’s close association with Islam Liberal Network in Indonesia. They are also too supportive of Ulil Absar,” said Yusri, referring to the Indonesian scholar who founded the Islam Liberal Network.

He said that the government leaders must also demonstrate their rejection to religious equality by not acknowledging other religious celebration and reminded Najib to stop attending the annual Hindu celebration, Thaipusam.

“In this matter, Kelantan Mentri Besar Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat should also not escape criticism as he had previously attended an official function at a Buddhist temple in Kelantan,” said Yusri.

Yusri’s sentiment was also echoed by Dr Muhammad ‘Uthman El-Muhammady, who called on Muslims to fight against those who promote religious equality.

“This belief is dangerous and a threat that must be addressed swiftly. Islam cannot be equated with other religions,” said Muhammad, a fellow at the International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilization (ISTAC).

Another speaker, UKM’s Nur Fahana Abd Rahman, asked federal Islamic authorities Jakim to issue a guideline to prevent Muslims from celebrating other religious celebrations, calling it an element of religious pluralism.

“Jakim for example must explain the Ponggal Festival, Deepavali, Lantern Festival and Mooncake Festival from religious and cultural perspectives,” said Nur Fahana.

She said Muslims who regularly join in such celebrations must be made to understand the difference between tolerance and religious pluralism.

“We do not want religious pluralism to be promoted through education system like what has been happening in Indonesia,” said Nur Fahana to some 500 people who attended the forum.

In an immediate reaction, PKR’s religious understanding bureau chief Dr Muhammad Nur Manuty described the forum as an election campaign.

“This is just another character assassination against Anwar to weaken PKR, to portray Anwar an enemy of Muslims,” Muhammad Nur told The Malaysian Insider.

“Some of them who spoke were once close to Anwar, maybe personal interest made them say those things,” he added.