Chauvinistic non-Muslims offended us first, says Isma

Controversial Islamist group‎ Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (Isma) has called on the "chauvinistic non-Muslims" to stop hurting the feelings of Malay Muslims in the country.

Isma Deputy President Aminuddin Yahaya (pic) said non-Muslims should ‎not be offended by any remarks Malays made against the community, and insisted it was done to defend themselves.

He claimed that the non-Malays "started it" by offending the Malays, who would in return respond to the alleged atta‎cks.

"My advice to phantom writers, opportunist ulama and video actors is to please advise those other chauvinistic races.

"‎Stop hurting the feelings of Muslim Malays. Why are you angry with statements we make in self-defence, but keep silent when other races act extreme?" he was quoted saying on Isma's website.

Yesterday, prominent Islamic scholar Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin had hit out at 'extreme' Islamist NGOS, saying their conduct had brought shame to Islam and wrought confusion among M‎uslims regarding the true teaching of their faith.

While Asri did not mention any names, it was apparent he was referring to Isma, which had called Chinese migrants brought to Malaya "trespassers" and warned of "foreign races" bent on burying Islam.

‎Isma's remarks had courted rage among the Chinese community here, and its president Abdullah Zaid Abd Rahman was eventually called to record his statement with the police.

Aminuddin said today Malays had never infringed against the rights of other races, including the riches the non-Muslim community had amassed in Malaysia.

He said this was proven by the Malay's willingness to share power to provide facilities for other races.

"It is the Malays who are the first customers at shops run by other races, and willing to become the 'Ali Baba' in many businesses.

"Malaysia is also the only country that has so many public holidays to accommodate all sorts of religious celebrations, while also having race-based schools," said Aminuddin.

He claimed Malay reluctance to cause conflict had caused other races to take advantage of Malay kindness, and to manipulate the situation for the interest ‎of their own communities.

Aminuddin said that other races were not only questioning the rights of the Malays, but also had the nerve to threaten the Federal Constitution and Islam's position.

On the website, he included facts that showed the Malay community's tolerance when achieving Independence.

He pointed out that the government had granted citizenship to 980,000 Chinese and Indians, making Malaysia a multiracial country.

The Malay kings also gave up their power to appease the other races, said Aminuddin.

"These are the sacrifices the Malays made. ‎And knowing the huge sacrifices the Malay kings made, the British then created Section 153 on the Malay special rights in the Constitution," said Aminddin.

‎He said the mounting criticism against the government was proof of the non-Muslims' extremist conduct towards the Malays.

He gave as an example the slogan "Malaysian Malaysia", which he claimed threatened the Federal Constitution and insulted the royal institution; ‎and the demands made by human rights group Comango.

"I could list down more actions by other races which are chauvinistic and have offended Malays for years."

Aminuddin said it was unfair that the Malay Muslims had done nothing, but their feelings were constantly hurt by the non-Muslim community.