Non-Muslim M'sian citizens are not 'kafir harbi', says PMO

The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has weighed in on the debate surrounding Pahang mufti’s Abdul Rahman Osman's controversial kafir harbi remark.

In a press statement, Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's office stated three criteria where Malaysians cannot be declared as kafir harbi.

“In this context, non-Muslim Malaysian citizens cannot be categorised as kafir harbi as long as they possess valid citizenship, are protected by the laws of the country, and do not wage war against the rulers,” it added.

The PMO added that the concept of kafir harbi in Islam refers to non-Muslims based on rules set out in Islam and their preparedness to wage war against the rulers.

It said that in the context of Malaysia, people of all races have been able to live in peace as did non-Muslims under the Prophet Muhammad in the past.

"It has been proven that since independence, the people of this country comprising various races and political ideologies have been able to live peacefully based on the principles of democracy and the rights of Malaysian citizens which is protected by the Federal Constitution.

"In terms of history, the non-Muslim community has also been able to live in harmony during Prophet Muhammad's rule," it said.

The PMO added that Abdul Rahman's statement was only an opinion and not an official fatwa but claimed it was distorted.

It urged that views concerning the term kafir harbi should be properly scrutinised so as not to cause unease in society, particularly among non-Muslims.

Last week, Abdul Rahman (photo above left) was quoted by Umno-owned Utusan Malaysia as labelling DAP as kafir harbi.

He was commenting on DAP's objection to hudud in the country.

Abdul Rahman later clarified that he was not only referring to DAP, but also to all non-Muslims in general who opposed Islam. - Mkini