KUALA LUMPUR – Mosques and surau should be used as tools to unite the people in the name of Islam, not to insult and lambast political rivals, said Umno Ulama Council executive secretary Datuk Mohd Khairuddin Aman Razali.
Taking his opinions to social media, the former PAS man urged Islamic scholars to use sermons in mosques and surau to unite the people, as their roles are to unify people of the religion and not the contrary.
“Islamic scholars need to unite the people, and not tear them apart,” he said in a Facebook post.
“Political competition among Muslim parties should not be narrated as a clash between the faithful and the unfaithful.”
Khairuddin also provided an example of Quranic verses depicting a community known as the Quraysh opposing Islam and Prophet Muhammad, and warned scholars against using the verses to indicate their competition as battles between Muslims and “heathens”.
He added that prayers asking for the destruction of fellow Muslims should be avoided.
Khairuddin was a member of PAS’ Ulama Syura Council before leaving the party on March 14, 2020.
Previously, the Terengganu Islamic and Malay Customs Council announced that political leaders and activists in the state would no longer be allowed to use mosques and surau to hold political activities or lectures.
Despite the prohibition, PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang still delivered a sermon yesterday in his constituency Marang, while also live streaming it on his Facebook page.
In his 20-minute sermon, Hadi touched on the teachings of the Quran and the Prophet Muhammad – and stayed clear of any political or controversial topics. – The Vibes, March 11, 2023
