The late Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat would not have approved of PAS' alliance with Umno as he was a far-sighted Islamic leader keenly aware of Malaysia’s multi-cultural composition, according to those who knew him.
He would also have been horrified at the proliferation of racist and anti-religious remarks that are now commonplace in the Malaysian cybersphere, said former Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism president A Vaithilingam.
“When I watched PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang announce on television that the late Tok Guru (as Nik Aziz was fondly known) would have approved of the Umno-PAS charter, I laughed and said out loud 'what rubbish',” he told Malaysiakini in an interview.
“It's completely not true. Nik Aziz always disapproved of Umno due to its corruption and for playing up communal politics,” he added.
Vaithilingam (below), 85, has been active in interfaith work since his involvement in the Hindu Youth movement in 1957. He also served as president of the Malaysian Hindu Sangam from 1996 to 2009.
“Nik Aziz and fellow PAS leader Fadzil Noor were exemplary men. They were full of confidence in their beliefs and also in their respect for others.
“He painted a good picture of Islam and in all our interactions, I always had a good impression of him,” he added.
'Made genuine attempts to bridge gaps'
Vaithilingam cited an example of how he had led an interfaith delegation to Kota Baru, Kelantan.
“In the 1980s, under Umno rule, the Catholic Church was asked to remove the cross from the main gate of a church in Kota Bahru. Temple applications also were rejected.
“But after PAS regained power in 1990, we met Tok Guru and he was very sympathetic. The cross was put back, and they even approved a three-storey temple building in the heart of town.
“This showed me that Nik Aziz was a very sincere believer in his own faith because he could encourage faiths to grow alongside each other,” he added.
According to Vaithilingam, the PAS spiritual leader made genuine attempts to bridge the gaps between the religions.
“Even when it comes to discussing unilateral conversions into Islam, he said 'I will assure you that this will only affect Muslims, but at the same time, can you come to me and tell me what each religion advises about conversion. Maybe we can study it and come up with a special law'?” he added.
Nik Aziz, he said, would invite leaders to his house, sit on the floor and serve tea. He also had a very affectionate way of speaking.
“Once, we caught his Friday sermon. We were driving by, and there was a huge crowd. Of course, a lot of the sermon was in the Kelantanese dialect so it wasn’t easy to understand. But he is someone who advises gently and doesn’t rile up the crowd,” he added.
In Vaithilingam's opinion, this contrasted sharply with Hadi (photo), who served as Terengganu's menteri besar from 1999 to 2004.
“I led a delegation to talk to Hadi but every now and then, he interrupted with comments like “Kalau masuk Islam, tak boleh keluar (Once you convert, you can't leave).
"Eventually, he told us 'don’t talk about Islam or syariah law anymore' and abruptly ended the dialogue, even though conversion necessarily affects people who are of other faiths,” he said.
Without mincing words, Vaithilingam described Hadi as dangerous for Malaysia.
“He lacks that respect for others' beliefs that makes a leader great. Some leaders have a zeal to control people, not to serve people.
"Nik Aziz was a very humble man who wanted to serve the people,” he added.
Revered by Muslims and non-Muslims alike
Vaithilingam's views are echoed by fellow interfaith activist Reverent Hermen Shastri, general secretary of the Council of Churches Malaysia.
Recalling his encounters with Nik Aziz, Shastri said the former PAS spiritual leader came across as a committed Muslim, humble and soft-spoken.
“He was also principled in wanting to serve people with respect and fairness. Nik Aziz received respect from non-Muslims because he did not say anything disparaging of other religious beliefs or practices.
“It is hoped that politicians will likewise lead by example and serve with just and democratic principles that are pleasing to all.
“The current politicians, especially Prime Minister (Dr Mahathir Mohamad) and the PM-in-waiting (Anwar Ibrahim), should carry on the legacy of gentle, compassionate and tolerant Islam as we move into a new era,” he told Malaysiakini.
Institute of Ethnic Studies (Kita) director Professor Shamsul Amri Baharuddin felt that in an era of increased global Islamophobia, leaders like Nik Aziz are much needed but sadly, there are few and far between.
“In multi-ethnic Malaysia, Nik Aziz was much-revered by Muslims and non-Muslims alike. He was a 'too good to be true' Muslim leader seen as not caught in the trappings of materialistic existence.
“His personal lifestyle has semblances of an Indian yogi, down to earth, frugal, humble, soft-spoken and exemplary in the conduct of everyday existence. He was a positive example that other leaders could only wish to follow,” he added.
However, Shamsul noted that while Nik Aziz’s holistic and inclusive approach was a positive force, he was limited in other areas.
“As a political leader, he had his limitations that are not unrelated to the specialised nature of his education and traditional upbringing. We don't expect to hear his opinion on global nuclear disarmament, but he had a lot to say about the flight of the Palestinians and Iraqis of the post-Saddam era,” he said.
Nik Aziz was one of a generation of leaders able to balance staunch adherence to their principles with a deep respect for the beliefs of others.
PKR founding member Syed Husin Ali said while Nik Aziz was a good example of such a leader, founding PAS president Dr Burhanuddin Helmi (1911-1969) (photo) was “even better.”
“Neither of them would agree with the culture of hate speech online nowadays, with people being insulting and provocative about one another's race and religion.
“Although he was a strong believer in Islam, Burhanuddin could cooperate well with people of different ideologies including communists.
“Also being a Malay nationalist, he could work well with non-Malays,” he added. - Mkini
I was 14 years old when I attended a ceramah featuring Tok Guru Nik Aziz. It was the first time. At the ceramah he mentioned that he was not feeling very well but when asked to speak at a ceramah in an umno stronghold he felt well immediately. That was his resolve when going against umno was concerned. It was in 1982 if I am not mistaken. A long time ago. He continued with this stance over the years and I had never heard him wavered from it not even an iota.
ReplyDeleteSo nearly 40 years later and nearly 5 years after he was gone, this moron Hadi said that Tok Guru was on-board with this union is definitely a blatant LIE. The man is known as serial liar. Don't be fool with his kopiah and serban nor his ability to recite all the hadiths and Quranic verses. Devil had the same capabilities and done it thousands and thousand of years ago.
but then if people are foolish enough to believe and put their trust in this moron, SO BE IT. Do it at your own peril. You have been warned!!!