Take a leaf out of Indonesia’s book, PAS told after Christmas brouhaha

 

Last week, PAS Youth vice-chief Hanif Jamaluddin took issue with a Christmas function organised by the housing and local government ministry as it allegedly involved Muslim staff.

PETALING JAYA: 

A human rights group has encouraged PAS to emulate countries like Indonesia when it comes to celebrating non-Muslim festivities.

This follows the brouhaha over a Christmas event held by a ministry recently.

Pusat Komas said Indonesia had demonstrated how diverse communities can celebrate cultural and religious events inclusively, despite being a Muslim-majority country.

“Malaysia can draw inspiration from such approaches to ensure that celebrations in public spaces are inclusive and respectful, reinforcing our multicultural identity,” it said in a statement.

Last week, PAS Youth vice-chief Hanif Jamaluddin took issue with a Christmas function organised by the housing and local government ministry as it allegedly involved Muslim staff.

Hanif said the minister, Nga Kor Ming, should understand that Muslims were prohibited from getting directly involved in celebrations of faiths that went against Islamic teachings.

He also cited a fatwa that said it was haram for Muslims to take part in carolling because the lyrics went against Islamic law.

However, FMT reported that a source within the ministry said they did not force any of their personnel to attend the function, and that the carollers who performed at the event were Christians from East Malaysia.

Pusat Komas went on to question the commitment by PAS to Malaysia’s multicultural identity, saying the Islamic party had yet to demonstrate “a genuine effort to uphold the rights and interests of all communities”.

It said cultural celebrations held in public spaces should be seen as opportunities to celebrate Malaysia’s rich cultural diversity.

“We hope that their statements are not suggesting the legitimisation of discrimination when non-Muslim communities celebrate their traditions openly and publicly.”

The group also said any attempt to politicise such occasions was detrimental to the country’s unity and called for political parties to refrain from divisive rhetoric.

“Emotional and accusatory statements, whether from political parties or government leaders, risk fostering animosity and eroding trust among the diverse communities that form Malaysian society.” - FMT