Yeoh a great patriot and even greater friend, says Syed Saddiq

 

Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman said the past few days had been tough on Hannah Yeoh, but described her as being ‘ridiculously hardworking’.

PETALING JAYA: Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman has thrown his support behind Segambut MP Hannah Yeoh, who faced criticism after being photographed wearing a headscarf when visiting a mosque in Kuala Lumpur recently.

In a Facebook post, Syed Saddiq defended the “great, patriotic Malaysian and even greater friend” from the attacks she had received since her visit.

“The past few days have been tough on Hannah.

“On one hand, she has been labelled an ultra-Christian who wants to convert Muslims. On the other, she is being called a Chinese without a backbone who wants to conform to  Muslim norms.

“In my many, many conversations with Hannah, I have never once felt that she wanted to convert me to Christianity, nor have I felt that she’s a conformist.

Hannah Yeoh wearing a headscarf while visiting a mosque in her constituency last week. (Facebook pic)

“She is Hannah Yeoh. True to herself. Is she a devout Christian? Yes, but does that make her any less of a Malaysian? No.”

He said both Islam and Christianity alike espoused the importance of tolerance and acceptance.

“In Islam, Surah 49 Al-Hujurat verse 13 calls on us to appreciate diversity and value the moral essence of humans.

“Similarly, in Christianity, Matthew 22, verses 36-40, calls for respect and to appreciate diversity. And the call to ‘love thy neighbour as thyself’ affirms this.”

He said that the Yeoh he knew was “ridiculously hardworking” and the recent attacks were unfair, given that she had been visiting mosques in her constituency for the last 13 years.

“We can be Malays, Indians, Chinese, Iban, Kadazan, Christians, Hindus, Buddhists and still be proud Malaysians.

“Don’t let anyone break the sacred bond of nationhood which celebrates diversity and moderation.

“Stay strong, Hannah. We are with you.” - FMT