MELAKA – Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang has once again courted criticism over his writings, this time from activist Martin Theseira, who accused the PAS president of racialising the fall of the Malacca Sultanate in 1511.
The Save Portuguese Community Action Committee chairman told The Vibes that Hadi should be mindful that not only the Portuguese celebrated new conquests, but so, too, did other empires.
“The PAS leader should be mindful that not only the Portuguese rejoiced when they conquered new lands. The Ottoman, Mughal, Rashidun, Umayyad, Srivijaya, Manchu and Mongol empires also celebrated when they seized new territories.
“These are historical facts.”
Empires’ search for new lands was to expand their trade, and many brought along their religions, he said.
“It wasn’t only the Portuguese who went on a conquest. He (Hadi) should also read about the violent invasions perpetrated by other empires or countries.
“Those who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.”
Theseira said it is unnecessary for Hadi to make comments that do not bring Malaysians together.
“What the Covid-19 pandemic has taught us is that we need to be united in the fight against a virus that does not discriminate. It attacks everyone.”
In a column published by PAS organ Harakahdaily on Tuesday, Hadi said the fall of the Malacca Sultanate in 1511 was celebrated in Rome, highlighting the spirit of the West in its Crusades against Islam.
“The West sent Orientalists to study the teachings of Islam, and some of them concluded that the Islamic faithful was a ‘fortress’ that the West would find hard to penetrate.” – The Vibes, June 27, 2021
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