Khalid Samad chides Jais, Mais for joining protests

Shah Alam MP Khalid Samad has lashed out against Selangor Islamic Religious Council (Mais) and Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais) for organising last Friday's protests against the use of the word ‘Allah' by non-Muslims.

Speaking at a Pakatan Rakyat ceramah on current issues in Kota Damansara last night, the PAS leader criticised Mais and Jais for directing their representatives to join in the protests, held in Shah Alam.

"The names of Mais and Jais were painted on banners that denounce the use of the word ‘Allah' against non-Muslims'. They (the protesters) also stomped on my picture (during the protests). Is this really reflective of what Mais and Jais think?" he posed quizzically.

"If Jais chief Mohammed Khusrin Munawi wants to be involved in politics, then he should just form a party and compete in the next general elections."

Khalid (right) also chided Barisan Nasional leaders for practicing double standards in authorising the protests, which were given the nod on condition that protesters confined themselves to the mosque compound.

"This is extremely strange. Last time, when there were demonstrations against the three ‘ frogs' in Ipoh, the leaders said ‘Ini bukan budaya kita' (‘This is not our culture'). So why is it our culture now?" he thundered.

Khalid was referring to the demonstrations that took place in Ipoh last February when three assemblypersons from PKR and DAP declared themselves independent, causing a constitutional crisis in Perak.

Umno inciting the people

On his stance on the ‘Allah' issue, Khalid lamented that he had been unfairly singled out for echoing the views of PAS spiritual leader Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat and PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang.

Peppering his speech with quotations from the Quran, Khalid nonetheless reiterated that the true foundations of Islam does not prohibit the use of the word ‘Allah' by non-Muslims.

He also disputed previous claims by Umno members that Selangor state law already prohibits the use of the word ‘Allah' for non-Islamic purposes.

"This 1988 enactment has not been used until now. It has been in cold storage. Now they (Umno) are using it to create tension between Muslims and non-Muslims...Umno is inciting the people!" he exclaimed.

The enactment in question states that a total of 25 words, including ‘Allah,' may not be used for non-Islamic purposes. However, there has been considerable debate on the issue among Islamic scholars and legal experts.

Khalid's remarks on the inappropriate conduct of Jais and Mais are yet another blemish on his relationship with PAS Selangor administrative head Hasan Ali (left), who is also the state executive councillor in charge of Islamic affairs.

Moreover, the controversial commissioner announced last November that Jais should take responsibility to ensure, as per the Selangor Sultan's directive, that mosques be more restricted zones where discussions of politics and issues that may cause disunity among the people are concerned.