PAS Serdang division feels it is not a problem for a non-Muslim leader to deliver a speech in a mosque or surau, as Islam is a flexible religion.

"We do not have a problem and do not want to prolong this issue," PAS Serdang Youth chief Mohd Adram Musa said today.

Therefore, Mohd Adram added, the issue of Serdang MP Teo Nie Ching (DAP) visiting a surau in Kajang, as highlighted by several Malay dailies today, presented the wrong interpretation that Islam is only for Malays.

"When a Chinese or an Indian comes to a surau or a mosque, there may be some negative views. But in the context of dakwah (propagating the religion), we must have flexibility, especially in Selangor.

"We have to prioritise harmony among the races and also the propagation of the religion," said Mohd Adram, who is also a Kajang municipal councillor.

NONEHe was responding to Umno-owned Utusan Malaysia's front page report on Teo's visit to the Al Huda surau in Kajang Sentral on Aug 22, where the congregation invited her into the prayer hall.

The issue, he said, was being exploited to the fullest to attack DAP and PAS.

Mohd Adram, who is also the PAS Youth treasurer, said during the time of Prophet Muhammad, non-Muslims were allowed inside mosques to get information on Islam.

Teo: Why is my motive questioned?

Teo said she could not understand why her visit to the surau last Sunday had been made controversial and was being ridiculed.

"I am genuine in my actions. The visit to the Al Huda surau was a sincere effort to meet the residents there. They also accepted my presence. I cannot understand why my visit is being politicised," she said.

She was also asked to comment on the statement by Selangor Islamic Department director Mohammed Khusrin Munawi' that Teo's action in giving what Utusan Malaysia today described as tazkirah (religious advice) in the surau was improper.

Utusan Malaysia today quoted Khusrin as saying it should not have happened as non-Muslims should not be allowed inside mosque or surau prayer halls.

Teo told Malaysiakini that she only wanted to hand over her contribution for the repair of the surau compound fence, which was sought by the surau's management.

Nothing to do with politics

She also said the speech she made inside the surau was to explain the Selangor Pakatan Rakyat government's assistance for education and had nothing to do with politics.

"Most of them do not know about the education programme, so I used this opportunity to inform them," she said, adding that she had first sought the surau officials' permission to enter, "and they also invited me in".

Asked why she did not wear a tudung when entering the prayer hall, Teo, who is also deputy head of the DAP publicity committee, said she had not been advised to do so.

"I was not advised by the surau committee to wear one. Furthermore, I did not expect to be invited into the prayer hall. This is not my first visit to the surau, as the last time I went there, I stood outside," the Serdang MP added.

In several mosques such as the National Mosque and the Putrajaya mosque, non-Muslims are required to cover their heads when visiting the area.