Firdaus Wong schools Syerleena: “Not worth sacrificing the Hereafter for the sake of votes”

 

MUSLIM convert preacher Firdaus Wong Wai Hung has taken a jab at Syerleena Abdul Rashid – one of three DAP’s Muslim lawmakers in the Dewan Rakyat – for playing victim every time her Muslim brethren criticised her for her shallow knowledge of Islam.

This came about after the Bukit Bendera MP scored many brownie points from her non-Muslim electorate/fans for financially supporting on-going renovation works at the Sri Maha Kaliamman Temple in Batu Gantong which falls within the vicinity of her constituency.

“Why would a Muslim MP support renovation works at a Hindu temple?” The answer is simple. Because my faith teaches me respect, compassion and responsibility towards others,” she justified her action in a Facebook post.

As a Muslim, I believe public service must be guided by fairness. Every community deserves dignity. Every place of worship deserves care. Every Malaysian deserves to feel seen and supported.

Places of worship aren’t just buildings. They’re where communities gather, where traditions are preserved, where people find comfort and where bonds between neighbours are strengthened.

Very logical rationale to the secular mind perhaps given her brethren begged to differ with jibes of “B4 u respect others faith, respect ur own first [sic]”, “Our faith also teaches us to submit and obey the (Islamic) law”, “Respect others’ faith but disobey your (own) faith” and “Looks like kafir (infidel) to me”, to name a few.

Editor’s Note: Syerleena’s openness towards non-Muslims faiths is well-known among Penangites with her having just attended the annual firewalking ceremony at the Kahlee Ama Temple in Taman Padang Tembak some 10 days earlier to which brickbats were also hurled at her by the rightist fraternity.

In November last year, the 45-year-old Convent Green Lane old pupil found herself in the line of fire for sitting in a prayer session at the Wat Chaiyamangalaram in Pulau Tikus – one of the oldest and most iconic Thai Buddhist temples outside of Thailand.

‘Ignorant is bliss’

But Syerleena’s tendency to justify her support for the well-being of non-Muslims with “my religion teaches me …” has prompted Firdaus to remind her that while Islam teaches respect, compassion and responsibility, there are still the guidelines which she has to adhere to in protecting the sanctity of Islam.

“The individual whom you acknowledge as a Prophet and Messenger, may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him, spent 23 years striving to eradicate shirk and idol worship in Makkah,” preached the Multiracial Reverted Muslims (MRM) founder in an English language post.

“Then suddenly you come along citing ‘my religion teaches me mercy and compassion’. Where do you place this verse of Allah? ‘And cooperate with one another in righteousness and piety, and do not cooperate in sin and transgression. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is severe in punishment’. (Al-Ma’idah 5:2)”

Firdaus who himself converted to Islam at the age of 22 went on to console Syerleena that Muslims have criticised her “because we still care about Syerleena Abdul Rashid as our fellow Muslim”.

“Even if you choose not to respond, that’s fine. Reflect upon yourself. This world is temporary. Power is temporary,” quipped the 43-year-old Jinjang, Kuala Lumpur-raised preacher who was instrumental in converting his own mother to Islam.

“If you want to engage in  politics, go ahead. But (safeguard your faith).”

Earlier, Firdaus ticked off Syerleena for “playing victim by claiming that those criticising you are walaun (PAS diehards) and so forth” despite her purported shallow knowledge of Islam.

“There are many ulama in DAP, aren’t there? Especially those with the title Sheikh (DAP Johor vice-chairman Senator Sheikh Umar Bagharib Ali), right? Ask them. Or better yet, ask a mufti (religious scholar),” he teased. –  Focus Malaysia