Anwar's case: Muslim luminaries ink their concern

Some 40 leading Muslim community leaders, intellectuals and religious scholars from around the world signed an open letter stating their concern for the 'physical safety and freedom' of PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim.

Troubled by the "unsubstantiated and clearly scurrilous" allegations made against the former deputy premier, they described Anwar as a person of "the highest ethical and moral integrity, a devout Muslim and a devoted father and husband."

"He is universally recognised as an advocate for justice and fairness and he has a long history of promoting Islam and championing Islamic ethical and charitable causes," said the letter which was published in the US-based quarterly Islamica Magazine.

As such, they felt it was their moral obligation to state their concern over the prospects of "true justice" facing Anwar given the timing of the latest accusations, the "political undertones" of the previous accusations, and "the proven questionable nature of the authorities involved in the investigation".

They were referring to the sodomy allegation against Anwar by former aide Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan which is now the subject of a police investigation.

Anwar has described the accusation as part of a political conspiracy to prevent him from becoming prime minister but government leaders have denied this.

"We have no wish to interfere in the internal politics of Malaysia or in civil and criminal accusations within the country which we reiterate are ultimately the business only of the Malaysian state and people.

"However, the spectacle 10 years ago of our respected brother Anwar Ibrahim sitting patiently in court after having been personally and illegally beaten up by the then police chief is still fresh within our minds as a travesty of justice and impartiality under the law in a leading Muslim country," read the letter.

"We are all still ashamed of that image, which will ever be indelibly engraved in our memories," it stated.

The signatories expressed hope, while having "complete trust in Allah" that the authorities would secure an honest and just outcome to the situation in Malaysia.

Among the personalities who signed the letter were Bosnia and Herzegovina Mufti Prof Dr Mustafa Ceric’, President of the influential Muhammidiya association in Indonesia Prof Dr Din Syamsuddin, President of the Muslim Students Association in the US Prof Dr Ingrid Mattson, President of the National Federation of Muslims in France Dr Mohamed Bechari and celebrated philanthropist and musician Yusuf Islam from the United Kingdom.