The Muslim Organisations in Defence of Islam (PEMBELA) welcome today’s decision by the Federal Court by praising Allah the Almighty for by His grace and mercy that the court has taken this position. We welcome and applaud this decision by which we believe that justice has been served. We believe that this decision is a relief for the majority of both Muslims and non-Muslims alike in Malaysia.
We say this because we see this decision as vindicating and upholding the existing arrangement relating to the position of Islam and the Shariah courts in the constitutional and legal set-up of the country. An arrangement that has been in place since before independence and 50 years after. It has been well accepted by all communities to the extend that for 50 years after Merdeka (Independence) we have been able to maintain one of the best records in the world of a multiracial multireligious society co-existing and building a nation together. In that spirit, this decision should not be perceived as a victory for Muslims and a loss for non-Muslims in Malaysia. Instead it should be seen as a rejection of an attempt by a certain individuals and segments to deconstruct and radically revamp the current formula. A formula built upon a mutual appreciation and understanding of the historical background and social realities of the Malaysian society. One that is in harmony and reflects well with what we are as a nation.
We would like to urge all parties to accept the decision wholly and graciously. We also plead to those who were hoping for an opposite outcome to consider modifying their expectations to suit what is good and more sustainable given our circumstances. We reiterate that this decision is clearly more just and fair in a broader and higher sense of these words.
We also hope that we have seen the last of similar attempts. We invite instead anyone who feels that they are aggrieved within the existing arrangement, to choose other less confrontational,controversial or disruptive approach towards change or reform.
We also take this opportunity, in a time when Islamophobia seems to be very popular, to call upon all Islamic religious authorities and agencies to be extra diligent, efficient and professional in discharging their duties so that the good name of the religion does not suffer by mistakes or weaknesses at the implementation level. The Muslim NGOs are willing to come to the assistance of anyone, Muslims or non-Muslims, in genuine cases. It would be un-Islamic and wrong for us to tolerate any injustice, even by Muslims or in the name of Islam. Having said that, as Muslims, we re-affirm our full faith in the notion of justice as espoused by true teachings of Islam.
YUSRI MOHAMAD
On behalf of: Organisations to the Defence of Islam (PEMBELA) and
President of the Muslim Youth Movement of Malaysia (ABIM)
May 31st, 2007 at 7:51 am
http://radicalmuslim.blogsome.com/2007/05/30/the-mega-mosque/
49,981 signatures have now been received on a terrible petition against the London ‘Mega mosque’ based on incorrect and inciteful information. This shows the existence of the intolerance and Islamophobia in Britain.
The mosque would provide a place of worship and show Britains tolerance and multiculturalism. It is now the duty of Muslims and evey citizen to sign the counter-petition to BUILD the ‘Mega Mosque’. Please sign at the link below, email it to your friends, post it in forums you visit and promote this on your site/blog.
http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/buildmosque/