Ulama council can help draw Umno closer to PAS, says spiritual leader

 

PAS spiritual leader Hashim Jasin says the Umno ulama council is a step towards strengthening ummah unity.

PETALING JAYA: PAS welcomes Umno’s move to set up a council of ulama (religious scholars) as this can help bring the two parties closer, said the head of the Islamic party’s version of the council.

PAS spiritual leader Hashim Jasin said this was possible through Islamic programmes that transcend political differences.

“If they hold any programmes, whether for the party or the people, these will be based on religion, such as Maulidur Rasul, so there is no reason not to invite PAS.

“I welcome this move as it is a step towards unity,” he told FMT.

Hashim does not view Umno’s ulama council as a rival to his panel, saying “we are open to the agenda of a united ummah”.

“If the goals are the same, there is no reason for PAS not to support or recommend activities that will benefit both parties,” he said.

Umno veteran Dusuki Ahmad has been named the first chairman of the party’s ulama council, which was mooted at the Umno general assembly 12 years ago but only now realised.

Asked whether PAS would invite Umno’s ulama council members to its programmes, Hashim said such interaction was not out of the ordinary among members of both parties.

“At the grassroots level, Umno members attend PAS events and vice versa,” he said.

Umno ulama council member Khairuddin Aman Razali sees it as a platform to educate party members and strengthen their understanding of Islam.

Its programmes will be in line with the party’s efforts to “put Islam first” and will also involve members’ families and neighbourhoods, he said.

“This is where the role of the ulama is much needed – to uphold, defend and develop Islam with the help of religious scholars – in line with Umno’s constitution,” he said. - FMT