'Hilarious' to watch UMNO leaders championing Islam - PAS

A PAS leader said it was 'hilarious' to watch UMNO leaders championing Islam in the wake of the intense media campaign targeted at PKR vice president Nurul Izzah Anwar over her statement on freedom of religion in the Qur'an.

Central commitee member Idris Ahmad  made the remark commenting on the accusation that Nurul was supporting apostasy among Malay-Muslims.

During a forum on the Islamic state last weekend, the Lembah Pantai member of parliament and daughter of PKR de-facto Anwar Ibrahim was asked about Islam's view on freedom of religion.

To this, Nurul quoted the Qur'anic verse that there is no compulsion in religion, but quickly added that she would go with the prevalent view that Muslims be bound by Shariah when asked whether this meant that Malays could declare themselves out of Islam.

UMNO leaders immediately accused Nurul of encouraging apostasy.

Idris however said Nurul had already explained what she had meant.

“She has explained that when one is already a Muslim, one is bound by its Shariah. So why does UMNO keep on shouting?" he asked.

Idris said this was in contrast to UMNO leaders who had uttered statements which are in fact blasphemous, such as their series of comments on hudud.

“Statements by UMNO leaders which clearly undermine their faith, such as those making fun of hudud, have never been revoked by them," he told Harakahdaily.

Idris said "all sane people" would find it hilarious that UMNO was defending the Islamic faith.

"Everyone is aware that UMNO only makes Islam a tool for its political interest, and its Islamic programmes are half-baked," he said.

As such, Idris added, Islamic programmes on television, for example, could not touch on the topic of the true role of Islam, while speakers could also be banned from appearing on TV.

-Harakahdaily