PAS shelves plans for syariah laws

Monday, 07 April 2008

THE president of Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS) says his party is shelving plans for controversial legislation, such as a syariah criminal law, which has been bitterly opposed by non-Muslim Malaysians. Datuk Abdul Hadi Awang, in an interview with Sin Chew Daily published yesterday, also said an Islamic state is 'not poles apart' from the socialism being promoted by the Democratic Action Party (DAP), a partner in the Pakatan Rakyat opposition coalition.

Just weeks ago, his comments would have raised heckles within the PAS leadership and created much doubt in the DAP. But after the March 8 general election, which saw the Pakatan Rakyat coalition winning five of Malaysia's 13 states, leaders of the conservative Islamist party have shifted their position. The third member of Pakatan Rakyat, or People's Alliance, is Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR).

As Datuk Hadi told the Chinese-language newspaper: 'In reality, an Islamic state is not poles apart from DAP's socialism; our stand on some issues such as justice, anti-graft and poverty eradication are the same.' He said that although the creation of an Islamic state remained the direction for his party, controversial teachings were being shelved for now. He added that PAS would continue to implement 'feasible Islamic thoughts' except controversial sections such as the syariah criminal law.

The DAP has openly opposed the idea of an Islamic state, fearing for the rights of minorities, while multi-ethnic PKR has also voiced its reservations over the issue. Datuk Hadi's comments are significant because PAS had been pushing hard for the implementation of syariah (Islamic) laws, including criminal law, which, among other things, advocates amputation of hands for thieves and stoning for adulterers. Its syariah plans and hope to form an Islamic state had, in the 2004 general election, turned off non-Muslim voters, which make up 40 per cent of Malaysians.

It is understood that PAS has been greatly encouraged by the support it received from non-Muslims in last month's general election, after it issued its manifesto calling for setting up 'a caring society'. It had also campaigned on the 'PAS for all' platform.

In the interview, Datuk Hadi also admitted that PAS would not be able to realise a true Islamic state because it was incapable of forming a single-party government. Non-Muslims should therefore not worry about the issue, he said.

'Tell me, is there a difference between hungry Chinese and suffering Muslims? DAP wants fair administration, which is what PAS stresses. What is the biggest difference? It is our different faiths,' he said.

He added that differences should be set aside for now and discussed when there was a need to implement policies. He also said the coalition government would have to listen to the views of all members before discussing and drafting policies.

'Under such circumstances, PAS must respect the views of DAP. Even in PAS-ruled Kelantan, we will listen to the views of the other races. 'In Kelantan, PKR won only a seat and DAP does not have any representative, but PAS still respects their views,' he said. - THE STRAITS TIMES

DAP only has qualms about Islamic state

KUALA LUMPUR: The DAP accepts Islam as the country’s official religion as long as PAS has no plan to turn the country into an Islamic state or introduce hudud laws, its chairman Karpal Singh said. He said that he had, at no time, belittled Islam and DAP had no quarrel with PAS except for its fundamental ideology to turn Malaysia into an Islamic state and introduce hudud laws. Karpal Singh said the DAP accepted Islam as the official religion of the country as guaranteed under the Federal Constitution.

“PAS must accept and face reality and not depart from what the Constitution provides and the views of former prime ministers Tunku Abdul Rahman and Tun Hussein Onn. “There’s no doubt that the Chinese and Indians in Kelantan are happy, but that doesn’t mean that they subscribe to the creation of an Islamic state or the introduction of hudud laws,” he said in a statement yesterday.

Karpal Singh said the Pakatan Rakyat coalition, comprising DAP, PKR and PAS, could defeat Barisan Nasional in the next general election provided PAS does not insist on turning the country into an Islamic state or seek the introduction of hudud laws.

On Sunday, PAS spiritual leader Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat criticised Karpal Singh for saying that PAS should not dream about becoming the backbone of the proposed coalition and establishing an Islamic state in the country. (The Star : Apr 8, 2008)

NIK AZIZ SLAMS KARPAL'S CRITICISM ON PAS

NIK AZIZ SLAMS KARPAL'S CRITICISM ON PAS BECOMING BACKBONE OF PAKATAN RAKYAT

Sunday, 06 April 2008

(Bernama) KOTA BAHARU, April 6 -- PAS spiritual leader Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat has criticised DAP chairman Karpal Singh for saying that PAS should not dream about becoming the backbone of the proposed "Pakatan Rakyat" and establishing an Islamic state in the country as belittling the Kelantan state government's efforts to promote Islam. The Kelantan Menteri Besar asked Karpal to prove the weaknesses of the PAS administration in Kelantan under Islamic principles over the past 18 years.

"I want to know (from him) what is wrong with Islam and where does he (Karpal) disagree with Islam. The non-Muslim communities are happy under us (PAS)," he told reporters after meeting the Japanese ambassador to Malaysia, Masahiko Horie, at his office here Sunday.

Last week, Kelantan Deputy Menteri Besar Kelantan Datuk Ahmad Yaakob had said that PAS should be the backbone of "Pakatan Rakyat", a yet to be formed coalition of Opposition parties if it wanted to realise its dream of establishing an Islamic state. Ahmad said the dream would only become a reality if all parties understood and accepted the real Islamic concept because Islam was a religion for all.

Karpal responded by saying that there was no question of any one party -- PAS, DAP or PKR -- becoming the backbone in the Pakatan Rakyat as all were equal in the alliance. Following Karpal's statement, Nik Aziz said he would invite the DAP politician to visit Kelantan and see for himself the development in the state under Islamic principles.

"I will pay for the cost of his hotel accommodation. He does not need to see me, he can just meet the non-Muslim communities in Kelantan and then tell me what is not good about Islam."

Nik Aziz said the Islamic financial system implemented by the Kelantan state government had been recognised by global economic experts and since Kelantan came under PAS it had made a lot of improvements including abolishing interest payments and establishing an Islamic pawn-broking system.

"Non-Muslims have also been given the right to be appointed community supervisors and I want to ask him (Karpal) what is not good about this."

Nik Aziz said non-Muslims had never been forced to embrace Islam and even with the introduction of Islamic values in the state they were comfortable with the PAS administration.
On the visit by Horie, the Menteri Besar said the Japanese ambassador was impressed with the business enterprise of Kelantanese women.

"I invited the ambassador to visit the Siti Khadijah central market and Wakaf Che Yeh wholesale market to get a closer look of how enterprising Kelantanese women are in business," he said.

KARPAL TAKES PAS YOUTH TO TASK

Saturday, 05 April 2008
By Mazlinda Mahmood

(NST) KUALA LUMPUR: DAP chairman Karpal Singh yesterday slammed Pas Youth for suggesting that the Islamist party use the Pakatan Rakyat as a springboard to an Islamic state. Reiterating his stand, Karpal said Pas should accept the provision in the Federal Constitution and judicial pronouncement by the Supreme Court in 1988 that Malaysia was a secular state and not an Islamic one.

He was responding to Kelantan Pas Youth's support for Deputy Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Yaakub's proposal that Pas become the backbone of the new opposition coalition to realise the objective of establishing an Islamic state. Yesterday, the Kedah and Terengganu Pas Youth echoed Kelantan's position, with national Youth vice-head Azman Shapawi Abdul Rani saying the party should anchor the coalition as it had been in existence for much longer than Parti Keadilan Rakyat and the DAP.

"Pas should be realistic and practical to ensure that the Pakatan Rakyat is not derailed by public statements in the nature of wanting to turn Malaysia into an Islamic state," Karpal said. "In any event, Pas has only 23 seats to the DAP's 28 and PKR's 31. I cannot see how Pas can make such a claim," he said.

In Kedah, Pas Youth head Musaddak Ahmad said he was confident of Pas' ability to lead the coalition by highlighting the Islamic concept in national administration.

"As such, Pas should become the backbone of the coalition to realise the objective of forming an Islamic state," he said.

PKR vice-president Mohamad Azmin Ali said the formation of Pakatan Rakyat was based on a common agenda and the Islamic state was not part of it.

"The Islamic state was not one of the issues discussed and agreed upon by the top leadership, even by Pas, as the consensus was to work on a common platform," he said.

Azmin said Pas had the right to express its views.

"But, ultimately, the top leadership must agree on the basis for the formation of the new alliance and the fact remains that the coalition must work based on consensus and principles which have been agreed upon by all parties."

PAS mahu ketuai Pakatan Rakyat di Kedah

Izwan Abdul Halim

GUAR CHEMPEDAK, 4 April 2008 (Hrkh) Dewan Pemuda PAS Kedah mahu PAS mengetuai Pakatan Rakyat di Kedah bagi mengukuhkan sokongan rakyat dan gerakerja di peringkat akar umbi. Ketuanya, Ustaz Musoddak Ahmad menyatakan demikian hari ini bagi mengulas cadangan agar PAS mengetuai Pakatan Rakyat yang digagaskan bersama-sama KeADILan dan DAP.

"PAS mempunyai kekuatan organisasi dari peringkat perhubungan negeri hingga cawangan. Oleh itu kita akan memperkuatkan Pakatan Rakyat ini di Kedah melalui kerjasama dengan KeADILan dan DAP,"ujarnya.

Ditanya siapakah tokoh yang bakal mengetuai Pakatan Rakyat di Kedah, beliau menegaskan bahawa calon yang paling layak ialah Menteri Besar, Ustaz Azizan Abdul Razak.

"Pemuda Kedah mempercayai penuh kemampuan beliau (Ustaz Azizan). Beliau sangat sesuai dan sebagai sayap parti, pemuda sentiasa berdiri teguh mendokong kepimpinannya. "Kami akan buktikan kemampuan yang sebenar kepada rakyat. Hari ini Pakatan Rakyat bukan sahaja berdiri sebagai Kerajaan Negeri bahkan kita juga mahu dokongan bersama dari seluruh rakyat," katanya lagi. - mks

[2.1] Alif, Laam, Miim.
[2.2] The Book, is the Qur'an, and Rayb means doubt in which there is guidance for the Muttaqin.

Ibn Abi Hatim said, "I do not know of any disagreement over this explanation.'' The meaning of this is that the Book, the Qur'an, is without a doubt revealed from Allah. Similarly, Allah said in Surat As- Sajdah, “Alif Lam Mim. The revelation of the Book (this Qur'an) in which there is no doubt, is from the Lord of all that exists” (32:1-2)”

Some scholars stated that this Ayah - 2:2 - contains a prohibition meaning, "Do not doubt the Qur'an.'' Furthermore, some of the reciters of the Qur'an pause upon reading, “there is no doubt” and they then continue; “in which there is guidance for the Muttaqin (the pious and righteous persons)”. However, it is better to pause at, “in which there is no doubt” because in this case, (guidance) becomes an attribute of the Qur'an and carries a better meaning than, “in which there is guidance”.

Hidayah - correct guidance - is only granted to those who have Taqwa - fear of Allah. Allah said,“Say: It is for those who believe, a guide and a healing. And as for those who disbelieve, there is heaviness (deafness) in their ears, and it (the Qur'an) is blindness for them. They are those who are called from a place far away (so they neither listen nor understand)” (41:44), and,

“And We send down of the Qur'an that which is a healing and a mercy to those who believe (in Islamic Monotheism and act on it), and it increases the Zalimin (wrongdoers) in nothing but loss” (17:82).

This is a sample of the numerous Ayat indicating that the believers, in particular, benefit from the Qur'an. That is because the Qur'an is itself a form of guidance, but the guidance in it is only granted to the righteous, just as Allah said, “O mankind! There has come to you a good advice from your Lord (i. e. the Qur'an, enjoining all that is good and forbidding all that is evil), and a healing for that (disease of ignorance, doubt, hypocrisy and differences) which is in your breasts, a guidance and a mercy (explaining lawful and unlawful things) for the believers” (10:57).

Ibn `Abbas and Ibn Mas`ud and other Companions of the Messenger of Allah said, guidance for the Muttaqin (the pious and righteous persons), means, a light for those who have Taqwa. Ibn `Abbas said about, “guidance for the Muttaqin” that it means, "They are the believers who avoid Shirk with Allah and who work in His obedience.'' Ibn `Abbas also said that Al-Muttaqin means, "Those who fear Allah's punishment, which would result if they abandoned the true guidance that they recognize and know.

They also hope in Allah's mercy by believing in what He revealed.'' Further, Qatadah said that, Al-Muttaqin, are those whom Allah has described in His statement; “ Who believe in the Ghayb and perform the Salah” (2:3), and the following Ayat. Ibn Jarir stated that the Ayah (2:2) includes all of these meanings that the scholars have mentioned, and this is the correct view.

Also, At-Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah narrated that `Atiyah As-Sa`di said that the Messenger of Allah said, “ The servant will not acquire the status of the Muttaqin until he abandons what is harmless out of fear of falling into that which is harmful.) At-Tirmidhi then said "Hasan Gharib.”

Huda here means the faith that resides in the heart, and only Allah is able to create it in the heart of the servants. Allah said, “Verily, you (O Muhammad ) guide not whom you like” (28:56),

“Not upon you (Muhammad ) is their guidance” (2:272),

“Whomsoever Allah sends astray, none can guide him” (7:186), and,

“He whom Allah guides, he is the rightly guided; but he whom He sends astray, for him you will find no Wali (guiding friend) to lead him (to the right path)” (18:17).

Huda also means to explain the truth, give direction and lead to it. Allah, the Exalted, said, “And verily, you (O Muhammad ) are indeed guiding (mankind) to the straight path (i.e. Allah's religion of Islamic Monotheism)” (42: 52),

“You are only a warner, and to every people there is a guide” (13:7), and,

“And as for Thamud, We showed and made clear to them the path of truth (Islamic Monotheism) through Our Messenger (i.e. showed them the way of success), but they preferred blindness to guidance” (41:17) testifying to this meaning. Also, Allah said, “And shown him the two ways (good and evil).” (90:10)

This is the view of the scholars who said that the two ways refer to the paths of righteousness and evil, which is also the correct explanation. And Allah knows best.

The root meaning of Taqwa is to avoid what one dislikes. It was reported that `Umar bin Al-Khattab asked Ubayy bin Ka`b about Taqwa. Ubayy said, "Have you ever walked on a path that has thorns on it'' `Umar said, "Yes.'' Ubayy said, "What did you do then'' He said, "I rolled up my sleeves and struggled.'' Ubayy said, "That is Taqwa.''

Surau Dang Wangi dihimpit pembangunan

Oleh Hanisah Selamat

Jawatankuasa serah memorandum minta kebenaran guna kemudahan tunai solat tarawih

KUALA LUMPUR: Ramadan sudah menjelma namun bagi jemaah Surau Dang Wangi, di sini, yang dinaikkan taraf sebagai masjid sejak puluhan tahun lalu pasti berasa kehilangan apabila masjid tempat mereka menunaikan solat terawih bakal dirobohkan bagi memberi laluan kepada sebuah projek pembangunan. Wangian dan keheningan Ramadan yang selalu mereka hidu, kini tidak seindah dulu, jauh daripada keharuman nama Jalan Dang Wangi tempat letaknya masjid berkenaan.

Walaupun lebih kecil berbanding masjid lain, surau yang berdiri megah di atas lot yang asalnya tanah wakaf sejak 1917 itu mampu menampung bilangan jemaah melebihi 2,000 orang setiap kali sembahyang Jumaat yang kebanyakannya adalah penduduk, peniaga dan pekerja di kawasan berhampiran. Sejak 7 September lalu, masjid berkenaan tidak lagi ‘semeriah’ dulu apabila ia ditutup daripada digunakan orang ramai berikutan arahan pihak berkuasa malah di sekeliling masjid terbabit sudah ditutupi kepingan zink untuk membolehkan projek pembinaan bangunan 20 tingkat blok kediaman anggota polis dan balai polis baru dijalankan.

Pengerusinya, Mohd Subahan Mohd Nasir, berkata walaupun sebuah surau yang mampu memuatkan 600 jemaah turut dibangunkan dalam projek sama, pihak terbabit diminta mempertimbangkan rayuan mereka supaya dibenarkan menggunakan masjid sedia ada untuk bersolat malah jika kawasan itu tidak selamat, diharap mereka diberikan tempat beribadah sementara yang berhampiran. Beliau berkata, kepadatan masjid berhampiran termasuk Masjid Jamek Kuala Lumpur menyukarkan penduduk atau pekerja kebanyakannya sektor swasta di sekitar Dang Wangi sama ada untuk menunaikan solat Jumaat atau terawih tambahan pula kini umat Islam sedang menjalani ibadat puasa.

“Kalau dulu jemaah sekeliling Dang Wangi hanya perlu berjalan kaki untuk menunaikan solat kini mereka perlu menaiki kenderaan untuk ke masjid lain dan kami berharap pihak tertentu sedia tampil membantu menyelesaikan masalah ini sekali gus menghalang sebarang usaha merobohkan masjid yang sama-sama membangun bersama Kuala Lumpur.

“Kami bukan menolak pembangunan dan usaha mempertahankan masjid ini juga bukan untuk jawatankuasa surau sebaliknya surau berusia hampir 100 tahun ini adalah warisan memandangkan usia serta fungsinya sebagai tempat ibadat sejak berpuluh tahun dulu,” katanya pada majlis penyerahan memorandum kepada Menteri Wilayah Persekutuan, Datuk Seri Zulhasnan Rafique, awal minggu ini. Memorandum terbabit diserahkan kepada Setiausaha Kementerian terbabit, Yew Teong Look, di sini.

Terdahulu, ahli jawatankuasa surau sudah mengirimkan salinan surat supaya masjid Dang Wangi dikekalkan kepada beberapa pihak termasuk Perdana Menteri, Datuk Bandar Kuala Lumpur dan kementerian berkaitan. Bagaimanapun, hingga kini mereka tidak mendapat sebarang balasan malah kawasan projek di sekitar Dang Wangi termasuk surau berkenaan sudah dipagar yang menandakan kerja pembinaan sedang dijalankan.

“Saya merayu pihak berwajib membenarkan masjid ini digunakan untuk menunaikan solat terawih sepanjang Ramadan atau sekurang-kurangnya beri kami tempat sementara yang berhampiran. Sejak 7 September lalu, masjid ini sudah dikunci menyebabkan jemaah yang datang terpinga-pinga. “Kali terakhir ia digunakan untuk solat Jumaat adalah pada 31 Ogos lalu dan solat Jumaat seterusnya kira-kira 100 orang berjemaah di luar masjid selepas ia dikunci. Justeru, sebarang keputusan perlu dibuat secepat mungkin berhubung perkara ini kerana sekarang kita sudah berada pada Ramadan,” katanya.

Sebelum ini, mereka sudah diberikan notis mengosongkan kawasan terbabit pada November lalu namun ahli jawatankuasanya merayu, selain mengemukakan permohonan injunksi di Mahkamah Tinggi Kuala Lumpur, tetapi ia ditolak pada 17 Julai lalu. Kini, kata putus sama ada masjid sedia ada dirobohkan untuk memberi laluan kepada projek pembangunan masih dalam kekaburan tetapi ahli jawatankuasanya menaruh harapan tinggi supaya permintaan jemaah setempat mendapat perhatian sewajarnya.

(Berita Harian : 20 September 2007/ 8 Ramadhan 1428)