PAS Youth has called on the ulama (Islamic scholars) in the party to 'step out from their shells' and learn to be more versatile in order to meet contemporary political challenges.

Its chief Salahuddin Ayub said divine knowledge alone will not attract the masses hence the role of the ulama must be redefined to ensure the opposition party's survival.

According to him, delegates attending the wing's annual meet in Kota Baru, Kelantan, have agreed on this and want the top leadership to act on the matter.

However, he denied that the call insinuated that the present ulama leadership was weak.

"No, it's not weak. But it needs to be strengthened so that it can be more acceptable and approachable.

"The party must project a national image to be more attractive where we not only champion religious issues but others as well," he said when met at the sidelines of the meet yesterday.

To do this, Salahuddin said the ulama must be bold enough to 'step out from their shells' and try to be more versatile in their leadership.

"They must not confine their expertise to religious issues alone but must take the effort to develop skills and knowledge in other fields. We need professional ulama," he added.

On whether this call from the Youth wing could be misconstrued by senior ulama leaders, he said this should not be the case.

"The Youth has a role to play in the party. We must be bold to voice our views especially if we know that it can benefit the party. Like it or hate it, the top leaders must hear (our call). However it is up to them how to react," he added.

'Puppet ulama'

Meanwhile, the PAS Dewan Ulama ( the scholars' wing) is aware of such sentiments reverberating through the party since its dismal performance in the last general elections.

In the Dewan Ulama assembly, which started on Thursday, its chief Harun Taib told delegates not to focus on religious matters alone and expand their knowledge in other fields in order to meet present political challenges.

After stressing on the importance of the ulama's role in society, he also took a swipe at his peers who allow themselves to be used by the government to justify its policies.

Elaborating on the issue when met later, he said these 'puppet ulama' dance to whatever tune is played by the government.

"They are given salaries to find justifications to the views of the government. So when the government says Islam Hadhari, they also say Islam Hadhari," he added.

In response to a question, he said the Dewan Ulama would not be discussing about Islam Hadhari.

Islam Hadhari, or Islamic management principles, is a concept introduced by Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi during the March 21 general election to counter PAS' Islamic state concept.

"I have said time and again. There is no Islam Hadhari. To us there is only Islam, period. Islam Hadhari is introduced by the Barisan Nasional government.

"What we propogate is the Islam practiced by Prophet Muhammad," he stressed.