Amid the criticism that it has been receiving for labelling the Chinese community as intruders, Ikatan Musliman Malaysia (Isma) has found a supporter in the form of a Chinese Muslim.
Days after another Chinese Muslim by the name of Muhammad Ooi posted a video asking Isma president Abdullah Zaik Abdul Rahman (right) to state his motives, Alifah Ting Abdullah, a member of Isma's youth wing Pembina, has come out in support of the organisation.
Muhammad Ooi said Abdullah Zaik's statement that "Chinese were intruders like the British who came to exploit the Malays", clashed with his understanding of Isma's objectives.
He urged Isma members to stop Abdullah Zaik and other Isma leaders from making such statements, as it hurt people like him and could spark racial conflict.
In her opinion piece published on Isma's website, Alifah said she is a Chinese Muslims who knows "her roots" and constantly remembers that whatever it is, the future and administration of this country would always be shaped by Malay Muslims.
"If (the Chinese) can't tolerate and have respect like how our ancestors had when they signed the social contract to be in this country, I think it is better to apply for citizenship in China," she said.
Alifah labelled Isma as an outspoken body that does its talking based on "facts, history and the Al-Quran."
"Isma doesn't throw stones and then hide their hands.
"We will defend the social contract, we will champion Islam. We, the Chinese community who know our roots, support Isma wholeheartedly," she added.
Alifah also said that she was convinced to embrace Islam after meeting "Isma champions".
'Pendatang' from Java offended
Her sentiments were, however, not shared by another activist from an Islamic NGO, who took offense to being called 'pendatang'.
Although Ikram Malaysia's Dr Harlina Halizah Siraj does not specifically mention Isma, she said that her ancestors, too, were 'pendatang' or migrants from Java.
"I am Dr Harlina Halizah Siraj and I am a 'pendatang' from Java..
"Everytime someone demands that 'pendatang' know their place and for the unhappy ones to return to the homes of their ancestors, I feel hurt," she wrote on Facebook.
Harlina, who is vice chief of Ikram's Wanita wing, added that Islam, too, spread to the Malay archipelago thanks to Arab migrants.
"So when will we stop blaming others when the weakness lies with ourselves and our failure to learn and improve?" she asked.
She also attached a picture of her family visit to their ancestoral village in Indonesia last February.
-Malaysiakini
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