PARLIAMENT | Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Mohd Na’im Mokhtar has denied that a ban on reciting the takbir in schools as part of the recent Palestine Solidarity Week was a form of Islamophobia.
Instead, Na'im said Islamophobia - which he defined as a "fear towards Islam, its followers or related matters" - stemmed from a lack of understanding of a global issue.
"The question of a ban on reciting the takbir or other restrictions is not caused by Islamophobia, but more to a misunderstanding of Malaysian solidarity on an issue happening at a global level," said Na'im in reference to ongoing attacks by the Zionist regime against Palestinians in Gaza.
"The government will continue to provide explanations to show Islam as a religion based on peace, unity and promotes harmony among people of various races, religions and cultures," said Na'im in his winding-up speech during committee stage debates of the Supply Bill 2024 today.
Marzuk Shaary (PN-Pengkalan Chepa), however, interjected Na'im and claimed that the misunderstanding also occurs among ministers in the government.
"Will you also make efforts to ensure understanding among the ministers?," asked Marzuk, who named Local Government Development Minister Nga Kor Ming as being among those who allegedly have a negative perception of Islam.
Marzuk's attempt to cite Nga's tweet on how schools are not the place for "conflict, extremist views and violence" - as an example of the Teluk Intan MP's alleged misunderstanding of the Palestinian struggle - prompted outcries from the government bench.
Howard Lee (Harapan-Ipoh Timur) raised a standing order on Marzuk for imputing improper motives against Nga and requested Deputy Dewan Rakyat Speaker Alice Lau to make a ruling ordering the PAS lawmaker to retract his statement.
Lau, however, ordered Marzuk to explain his remarks.
Marzuk attempted to show a screenshot of Nga's posting, originally made on X, which also included an image of two school children holding toy guns and dressed to resemble Palestinian soldiers.
This sparked a brief chaos with shouts of "biadap" (insolent) and "fitnah" (lies) heard among lawmakers in the house.
Lau ordered Marzuk to retract his statement and eventually ejected him from the house for the remainder of the day's proceeding over his refusal to obey her ruling. - Mkini
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