KUALA LUMPUR – PAS syura (cleric) council member Nasrudin Hassan has hit back at critics who condemn its Terengganu youth wing for donning medieval Islamic war garb during its recently concluded “Himpunan Pemuda Islam Terengganu” (Himpit) event.
In a statement on Facebook, the former Temerloh MP said that the Himpit parade was an annual event hosted by the party’s Terengganu chapter’s youth wing and questioned the fuss made over the warrior garb.
The event, he noted, even drew comment from Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Mohd Na’im Mokhtar. Nasrudin attributed the negative reaction the parade received to “extreme fear of Islam.”
“Some condemn and ridicule (the costumes) on the grounds of disturbing public order, displaying violent and extreme elements.
“I see the occurrence of an extreme fear of Islam. Unfortunately, some Muslims are also paranoid about the events that happened,” the former PAS information chief wrote in his post.
He also added that similar parades had also been held in the past without much scrutiny from the public.
“There are even shows of gunfights using spears, swords in operas and cultural and religious ceremonies of certain races in the country. Including the usage of the costume of a warrior from the past who is fully armed.”
Nasrudin implied that the issue was being raised by some due to Islamophobia.
“I believe that the issue was raised just because it involves the clothing of Islamic warriors of the past. If others did it, maybe the public would praise it as an interesting event exhibiting a legacy that needs to be remembered.”
He added that many movies portray dangerous, violent and obscene acts that should be more of a concern for the public and the minister rather than the Himpit parade. – The Vibes, February 20, 2023
