Exploiting canteen issue during Ramadan makes mockery of ‘PAS for all’, says Aliran

HUMAN rights and reform organisation Aliran has expressed deep concern that PAS has found it necessary to make an issue out of the Education Ministry’s recent directive to school canteens to open for business during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.

“This is an unnecessary issue, especially in a multi-ethnic and multi-religious society such as ours – where the people, including schoolchildren, should exercise mutual respect for each other’s rights and responsibilities.

“It is divisive for PAS to raise such an issue, which flies in the face of the party’s ‘PAS for all’ slogan,” said the Aliran executive committee in a statement today.

While the Muslims’ observance of fasting should be respected and appreciated, so too should the right of non-Muslims to eat at the school canteen, it stressed.

“It would not diminish the importance of fasting if the canteens are encouraged to operate during this period.

“If anything, it would enhance the religious devotion of the Muslim students and reinforce the forbearance expected of them during the fasting month.”

Aliran said that any move to disallow school canteen operators from operating during Ramadan would be tantamount to being insensitive to the basic rights and needs of non-Muslims.

Those who have an insatiable appetite to exploit issues for political gain should exercise restraint during the blessed month of Ramadan, it added.

PAS Ulama Council chief Datuk Ahmad Yahya, who is the Pokok Sena MP, recently criticised Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek, accusing her of acting in haste by allow school canteens to operate as per normal during the fasting period.

PAS’s extremist nature revealed, says Penang PKR

Meanwhile, the women’s wing of Penang PKR accused the PAS ulama council of stooping to low levels by politicising the month of Ramadan instead of embracing the related teachings on nobility and abstinence during this period

Its head Nurhidayah Che Rose took to social media to indicate that the wing will protest the manner of how the clerics’ body attempted to politicise the issue of the Education Ministry allowing school canteens to operate during Ramadan.

"To criticise minister Fadhlina Sidek for allowing the canteens to operate to serve non-Muslim students reflects the extremist nature of PAS and its disrespect of Ramadan. Worst, it causes a polemic argument," said Nurhidayah.

"During Ramadan, it is unnecessary for Muslims to quarrel among ourselves. and neither should we politicise everything.”

“We believe the action to allow the canteens to operate is correct. It imbues tolerance among the students and teaches the Muslims to have the determination to fast as per the teachings and allow the non-Muslim mothers relief in not having to prepare food for their children."

She stressed to PAS that Islam is a religion which teaches its followers to be tolerant and sensitive to the needs of all.

"Fadhlina is a minister who oversees the welfare of all schools and tries to meet the needs of every student and educator in the country. Her role is not confined to just one location or one race," said Nurhidayah.

Penang PKR Wanita therefore urged PAS leaders to respect Ramadan as a period for reflection instead of seeking cheap political mileage, she said. – The Vibes, March 14, 2024