Friday protests tame affair
Despite widespread concerns, the simultaneous protest at three mosques in Kuala Lumpur and Shah Alam turned out to be a tame affair.
Despite widespread concerns, the simultaneous protest at three mosques in Kuala Lumpur and Shah Alam turned out to be a tame affair.
The biggest number of protesters were at Masjid Negara, where several hundreds vented their frustration over the court ruling on the 'Allah' issue under the watchful eyes of some 50 police personnel while a police helicopter hovered above.
Armed with banners and placards, the crowd dispersed after about 10 minutes.
During the protest, one of the leaders read out a declaration, which among others, urged Christians to use the word 'Tuhan' instead of 'Allah'.
They also wanted the issue to be decided by the Syariah court and not through civil proceedings.
More than a dozen banners were strung up around the compound of the iconic building. Among others, the banners read 'Do not belittle Islam' and 'We vow to defend Islam and the Malay rulers'.
Earlier, scores of people inked a memorandum at the entrance of the mosque.
At the Kampung Baru mosque, there were only a handful of protesters who gathered briefly. A signature campaign was carried out here as well.
A political twist in Shah Alam
In Shah Alam, things took a political twist with the protesters targeting Selangor Menteri Besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim and PAS MP Khalid Samad.
Organised by Anak Muda Islam Selangor (Amis), several of the protesters were seen stomping on the PAS leader's poster while a banner accused him 'sodomising' the religion.
The police moved quickly to stop the protesters, several of whom were shouting that Khalid Samad was 'conspiring with the non-Muslims' on the 'Allah' issue.
Former PKR state representative, now BN-friendly independent, Badrul Hisham (Port Klang) was also present among the crowd.
Also among the protesters were familiar faces who took part in the controversial 'cow head protest' incident last year.
In the short protest, an individual who identified himself as Suhaimi urged the small crowd not to "berlembut" (bow down) with those who want to go against Islam.
In his fiery speech, he also promised that "appropriate action" will be taken if the appeal court decision "is not in favour of Islam".
"Muslims had been soft (berlembut) for too long," he said, adding that it was time for them to speak up.
Before taking the microphone, Suhaimi walked to the crowd and shouted "bakar gereja" (burn down the churches). However his remark was met with stunned silence from the crowd.
A brief commotion erupted when a few protesters started stomping on Khalid Samad's photo, causing the police to intervene and to order the crowd to disperse.
But Suhaimi shouted: "Don't I have the right to speak? We didn't do any thing wrong. This is about Islam!"
Shortly after that the crowd slowly dispersed after about 10 minutes and went inside the hall in the mosque to hear the ceramah organised by Majlis Agama Islam Selangor (MAIS).
'Allah is only for Muslims'
Speakers from 38 Muslim-based NGOs under Mais, including Abim and Persatuan Ulama Islam Selangor, addressed about 350 people.
Later at a press conference, Suhaimi said he would declare a war if the word 'Allah' is abused by other religions.
"The religion (Islam) belongs to us and Allah is only for Muslims. If you want to use the word, then you have to convert to Islam," he said.
"Malaysia will not be peaceful because of this term is misused...it's stated in the constitution that the position of Islam is protected," he said.
He also clarified that they had stomped on banner photos of Khalid because they claimed that the PAS leader's opinions were improper.
"He has to retract what he said. He made a wrong fatwa and he should repent for what he did," he said.
Meanwhile, former Umno state exco Mokhtar Dahalan stressed that the gathering showed that Muslims are anxious and disappointed with the High Court ruling.
"Our feelings should be taken seriously and this issue should be given special attention," he said.
Badrul, who was also at the press conference, however, refused to make a statement although he was prompted repeatedly by the press.
When asked why he was in Shah Alam instead of his constituency Port Klang, he curtly replied: "Because I am independent."
The ceramah inside the mosque ended at 3pm.
No protest in Ipoh, Penang
Bernama reported that in Ipoh, about 500 people people performed 'solat hajat' prayers led by imam Masjid Negeri Perak, Pohat Hatim, after Friday prayers.
About 1,000 people gathered outside the mosque Perak expecting several NGOs to stage a protest.
"After waiting some time... I felt it would not take place as there were no banners and the like," said Halim Ali, a private sector employee.
He felt that was the best as the matter was before the courts and that the police had also prohibited it to avoid worsening the situation.
His friend, Hussin Abdullah, 35, said the issue should not be blown up as he was confident the government would find a solution.
It is learnt that there were no protests in Penang as well.
VIDEOS
Protest in Masjid Negara l 6 mins
