Hadi's defiance receives unexpected support from PKR rep

 

PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang’s defiance against royalty regarding his right to preach in mosques has received unexpected support from PKR lawmaker Hassan Karim.

Hadi had previously persisted with delivering sermons in mosques in Terengganu, despite the prohibition by the state Islamic council against doing so.

The Islamist party leader claimed that there is nothing wrong with Muslim politicians delivering sermons in mosques or suraus, saying that they have a duty to speak up on various matters including politics.

Hassan (above) saw Hadi’s point, saying it is democratic for Muslims to listen to Islamic teaching not delivered by an official imam or preacher.

“At least there is somebody who dares to challenge. The royalty cannot always be there, (when it comes to) the issue of control of mosques," the Pasir Gudang MP said at a political forum last night organised by Gerakbudaya and moderated by its director Chong Tong Sin.

Hassan said this was provided that the party itself did not use the mosque for its political propaganda.

He expressed the view that no one, including royalty or any political party, should be allowed to monopolise Islamic matters.

“I’m not a royalist, but we have to accept that in our country, we have a feudal (system),” he said, adding that monarchy should not be permitted to "control everything”.

The prohibition against all politicians, including parliamentarians, state assemblypersons, and senators, from delivering a lecture or sermon in all mosques and suraus across Terengganu, came into effect on March 2.

The order was issued after state ruler Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin became upset that some politicians had delivered religious lectures or classes and led Friday prayers without approval.

PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang

Exemptions, however, are given to politicians recognised to teach or those with permission to do so from the Terengganu Malay Heritage and Islamic Religious Council council.

According to a search in data.gov.my, as of March 4, Hadi is not registered as a recognised speaker in Terengganu.

The portal provides a database for citizens to access and download open government datasets online.

Previously, Hadi had predicted the imminent collapse of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s administration in the near future.

His brazen predictions drew brickbats from various quarters, with several leaders urging him to focus on attending Parliament instead of sabotaging the government and upsetting the public.

Asked if his coalition’s efforts to usurp Anwar’s government are a challenge to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s decree for political stability, Hadi said the king’s words are not the “final say” and do not prevent changes in a democratic country. - Mkini