Khairuddin slams usage of mosques, surau to attack political opponents

 

Umno Ulama Council executive secretary Mohd Khairuddin Aman Razali has criticised certain quarters for allegedly using mosques as a platform to satirise and attack political enemies.

He said mosques and surau are not a place to cultivate hatred.

“Ulamas need to be unifying the Islamic community instead of tearing them apart. Competition of political parties among Muslims should not be narrated as a clash of faith and kufur (disbelief),” Khairuddin said in a Facebook post.

The former PAS leader is believed to be referring to a statement issued by several state Islamic religious councils prohibiting political leaders from lecturing in mosques.

On March 2, Terengganu issued a ban against all politicians - including parliamentarians, state assemblypersons, and senators - from delivering lectures or sermons in all mosques and surau in the state.

Political leaders are also prohibited from delivering Friday sermons.

The religious council’s chairperson Shaikh Harun Shaikh Ismail said the ban, effective March 2, was issued after Terengganu ruler Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin was upset that some politicians had delivered religious lectures or classes and led Friday prayers without approval.

However, Shaikh Harun said exemptions are given to politicians who were recognised to teach or those with permission to do so from the council.

Besides Terengganu, Johor and Perak also have similar prohibitions in place.

Despite the ban, PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang continued to deliver his weekly sermons at the Rusila mosque in Marang, Terengganu on March 10.

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

Meanwhile, Khairuddin also criticised the actions of those who pray for the “destruction” of fellow Muslims.

“Specific prayers asking for the destruction of fellow Muslims should be avoided. They tear apart instead of uniting,” he said. - Mkini