Defiant brethren mock FT mufti as “DAP stooge” for denouncing “kafir harbi” label on NMs

 

PROCLAIMING the term “kafir harbi” (war infidels) as derogatory and inappropriate to describe non-Muslim citizens has invited wide ranging condemnation by seemingly political bigots against Federal Territories mufti Ahmad Fauwaz Fadzil.

His rationale that non-Muslims (NMs) who possess citizenship should not be labelled “kafir harbi” even if they despise Islam so long as they are bound by social contract and do not take up arms is seemingly the contentious point which irked many opposition-slant rightists.

Henceforth, he was reminded that “the role of Muslim scholars is to defend Islam and not DAP”.

For context, the son of former PAS president Datuk Fadzil Mohd Noor was echoing the stance reached during a recent roundtable discussion entitled “‘Kafir Harbi’ in Malaysia: A Discussion” in Putrajaya which was also attended by the Perlis and Penang muftis and leadership of the Religious Affairs Ministry.

In summing up, Religious Affairs Minister Senator Dr Zulkifli Hasan contended that “kafir harbi” is unsuitable for use in the Malaysian context as all citizens are subject to the Federal Constitution and share the responsibilities of fellow citizens and compatriots.

The gist is as follows:

• The term “kafir harbi” is irrelevant in the reality of a plural society in Malaysia.
• Every Malaysian in regardless of their creed are citizens who are protected and bound by the laws enshrined in the Federal Constitution.
• JAKIM has been directed to work with other agencies to provide information to the public so that this issue is not misunderstood. This approach aims to maintain racial unity and harmony between religions in Malaysia.

Taking a step further “kafir harbi” has its origin in classical texts for foreign adversaries who had no diplomatic or safety agreements with the Muslim leadership but in literal sense, it refers to a belligerent non-Muslim enemy with whom a state of war exists.

All in all, “kafir harbi” is contrasted with “kafir zimmi” (tax paying non-Muslim citizens living under Muslim protection) or “kafir miahid” (non-Muslims tied by a peace treaty).

DAP is the ultimate target

Leading the charge of detractors against the FT mufti is controversial Muslim convert preacher Ridhuan Tee Abdullah who hinted that the latest attempt by the religious authorities to debate the meaning of “kafir harbi” is merely an attempt “to seek attention”.

“What have you been doing all these while when Islam was insulted, reviled and hated?” fumed the Muafakat Nasional deputy president who himself rampantly use “harbi” to attack non-Muslims in a Facebook post.

“Such is an act of a stooge … This is an era of social media war, not physical war. It is so difficult to understand?”

Apparently, the former Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA) professor’s so-called condemnation has set the tone for disparaging remarks against FT mufti Ahmad Fauwaz who is seen as a Madani government appointee (he was made the head of Islamic jurisprudence on May 23 last year by JAKIM).

“Honourable Mufti … the reality in Malaysia is that we’ve been independent for almost 70 years … they’ve been recognised as citizens for a long time but are still hostile towards Islam in both subtly and openly,” asserted one detractor in reaction to the FT mufti’s justification.

They’ve a treaty with us as the indigenous occupants of this country but their policies clearly contradict the rules and agreements in the social contract and constitution.

 

Not all infidels are like that but there is one extreme party that incites its own people to be hostile towards Islam and Muslims in this country … there is already a lot of video evidence in their own language on social media. Why then should we turn a blind eye?

Another expressed hope the FT mufti’s knowledge “doesn’t backfire at him for being too eagerly backing the government that pays your salary”.

In short, the FT mufti was literally mocked left, right and centre in his quest to defend the so-called citizenry dignity of non-Muslim Malaysians from radical political bigots. 

- Focus Malaysia