Netizens mock PAS’ Christmas greeting as insincere, a U-turn to repair its tarnished reputation

 

AS non-Muslims of the Christians faith and liberal thinking Malaysians warm up to PAS extending its Christmas greetings to all Malaysian Christians, netizens at large are wondering if PAS has turned over a new leaf.

Many were astounded by the Islamist party’s secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan’s Christmas 2024 greeting in both Malay and English (this is a rarity):

With shared historical roots in the Abrahamic faiths, Muslims and Christians in Malaysia share significant commonalities – not only in foundational beliefs and practices but also in our collective capacity to contribute meaningfully to the creation of a better nation.

The shared belief in monotheism, the reverence for Prophets and Messengers, the esteemed position of Mary, the recognition of life after death with its rewards of Heaven and Hell, the practice of fasting and the emphasis on the virtue of charity are key commonalities that are instrumental in cultivating moral character beneficial to both individuals and society as a whole.

This promoted political observer Suraya Aziz (@SurayaAOfficial) to respond to PAS’ greeting which appeared on a Malaysiakini post on the X platform, wondering if the Islamist party has made a U-turn in light of declining support.

She went on to cite former PAS Youth chief Dr Muhammad Khalil Abdul Hadi (son of PAS president Tan Sri Hadi Awang) who had on the Christmas eve of 2018 reminded Muslims against celebrating Christmas nor “to arbitrarily extend Christmas greeting on their Facebook status”.

Still many netizens are flabbergasted or unconvinced with PAS’ sincerity in extending its Christmas greeting given the party’s inconsistencies towards other faiths.

Some commenters even insinuated PAS’ tendencies to lie and slander as evident by Takiyuddin himself unveiling a “jihad fundraising” while deeming it a “collective responsibility” to fund Kepala Batas MP Dr Siti Mastura Muhammad who recently lost a RM825,000 civil suit to DAP’s powerful trio of Lim Kit Siang, Lim Guan Eng and Teresa Kok.

Whether it is a U-turn or just a ploy to win the hearts of non-Muslins in line with the party’s policy of garnering non-Muslim support, a commenter expressed gratitude to PAS for its wishes but stated that he would still not vote for PAS.

Another more sarcastic commenter reciprocated Takiyuddin’s greeting with “Merry Christmas to all PAS members”. 

 - Focus Malaysia