KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 30 – The Selangor mentri besar today slammed the politicisation of Serdang MP Teo Nie Ching’s visit to a Kajang surau, calling it excessive, bad for Islam’s reputation and contrary to the spirit of Ramadan.
Teo’s visit to Surau Al-Huda last week to deliver aid prompted a slew of criticism from Barisan Nasional (BN) and Perkasa, with the latter going so far as to call for a ban on non-Muslims from entering mosques and suraus. The Selangor Islamic Religious Council (Mais) also claimed that the visit had displeased the Selangor Sultan.
The National Fatwa Council, however, had decided on March 1 that non-Muslim tourists may enter mosques and prayer rooms with the condition that they receive permission from the respective managements and ensure that their actions do not violate the sanctity of the mosque.
Former Perlis mufti Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin also came out with a similar statement, while pointing out that political parties using religion to cause racial strife are the actual culprits smearing the name of Islam.
“I urge all parties to cease all speculation and slander towards any party that, in the end, will effect the understanding of Islam negatively. Let us not pollute the purity of Islam for the sake of prejudice,” a statement from Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim’s (picture) office read.
“The attacks on YB Teo for giving aid to fix the suraus’s fence deviates very much from the teachings of Islam and is an embarrassment to Muslims.”
The statement, prepared by Khalid’s political secretary Faekeh Husin, added that Teo’s prompt clarification and apology to the Selangor Sultan after BN played up the issue should have been accepted by all parties with wisdom and an open heart.
On Sunday, Teo apologised to Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah over her visit while expressing dismay that it had been turned into a controversy by Umno and its newspaper, Utusan Malaysia.
“I worry that if such action is not controlled it will only widen the gulf between races and religions that BN rule has failed to address,” the statement continued.
The Selangor mentri besar added that his viewed such matters seriously and will not hesitate to take action against any party that incites religious and racial tension.
He said that this showed Pakatan Rakyat’s commitment to dealing with bigger issues that can threaten the country’s stability – such as baby dumping, rape, corruption and other social crimes – claiming that it was these crimes that really desecrated the purity of Islam and its followers.
Khalid added that the Selangor government would continue to place the people’s welfare above political ideology and invited all parties, including the federal government, to sponsor social and charitable works in mosques and suraus in Selangor.
“The Selangor government takes the view that contributions to the poor and needy in light of the tightening economy is more important and goes beyond the boundaries of party politics,” he said.
