Download PRESS RELEASE: MALAYSIA - Breeding Disunity Among Muslims

PRESS RELEASE: MALAYSIA - Breeding Disunity Among Muslims
Thursday, 03 February 2011 11:33
Leading NGO, Citizens International challenges the Malaysian government
over December's Ashura raids.
Forwarded press release
-----------------------------------------------Citizens International
-----------------------------------------------26th January 2011
Y.A.B Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Bin Tun Abdul Razak
Prime Minister of Malaysia
Prime Minister’s Office
Main Block, Perdana Putra Building
Federal Government Administrative Centre
62502 Putrajaya
Assalamu’alaikum wr wb
Yang Amat Berhormat Datuk Seri,
REF: Breeding Disunity among Muslims
I am deeply concerned about the recent persecution of Shia Muslims by law enforcement
officers from certain state Islamic religious affairs departments. Their actions constitute not only
serious violations of the human rights of Shias but, more serious, disobedience to Allah s.w.t‘s
command to Muslims to remain united. The Qur’an teaches: And hold fast, all together, by
the rope which Allah (stretches out for you) and be not divided among your selves...
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PRESS RELEASE: MALAYSIA - Breeding Disunity Among Muslims
Thursday, 03 February 2011 11:33
[Surah Al Imran 3:103]
On 15 December 2010, during the commemoration of the martyrdom of Imam Hussain the
grandson of Prophet Muhammad, Jabatan Agama Islam Selangor (JAIS) officials raided the
ceremony and arrested 200 people including a local scholar and a visiting scholar from Iran. I
understand two of them are to be prosecuted in the Shariah court. I cannot imagine how
commemoration of the martyrdom at Karbala can constitute a crime.
Muslims all over the world, both Sunnis and Shias, commemorate that historic event, and Imam
Hussain’s courage and commitment to truth has, ever since his martyrdom, been an inspiration
to all those who oppose tyranny, oppression and injustice.
On 17 December 2010, Turkey’s Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, a Sunni Muslim,
attended a ceremony in Istanbul
organised by the Jafaris to
commemorate the tragedy at Karbala. In his speech he said: We have been feeling the pain of
Karbala for 1,370 years. We have to feel that pain in our hearts. We remember Imam Hussain
whenever an innocent person is killed.
JAIS should be organising events to commemorate Imam Hussain’s martyrdom instead
of persecuting those who do.
I am simply astounded at the lack of understanding and prejudice of JAIS officials regarding
Shiah Muslims. They consider Shias as deviationists and, according to a news report, JAIS is
planning to establish a detention camp for rehabilitating deviationists including Shias. Mohamed
Rais Rasid told Malaysiakini that the followers of the Shiite branch of Islam pose the most
concern to JAIS.
The consensus among the most learned and respected Ulamas is that Shias are Muslims
just like us who belong to Ahl As-Sunnah Wa’l Jama’ah. In July 2006, International Islamic Fiqh
Academy, Islamic world’s leading judicial body, adopted Resolution 152: Islam and the one
ummah, and the schools of Islamic jurisprudence which states:
• Whosoever is an adherent to one of the four Sunni schools (Mathahib) of Islamic
jurisprudence {Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi'i and Hanbali), the two Shi'i schools of Islamic jurisprudence
{Ja'fari and Zaydi), the Ibadi school of Islamic jurisprudence and the Thahiri school of Islamic
jurisprudence, is a Muslim. Declaring that person an apostate is impossible and
impermissible.
• There exists more in common between the various schools of Islamic jurisprudence than there
is difference between them. The adherents to the eight schools of Islamic jurisprudence are in
agreement as regards the basic principles of Islam.
• All believe in Allah (God), Glorified and Exalted be He, the One and the Unique; that the Noble
Qur'an is the Revealed Word of God preserved and protected by God, Exalted be He, from any
change or aberration; and that our master Muhammad, may blessings and peace be upon him,
is a Prophet and Messenger unto all mankind.
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PRESS RELEASE: MALAYSIA - Breeding Disunity Among Muslims
Thursday, 03 February 2011 11:33
• All are in agreement about the five pillars of Islam: the two testaments of faith shahadatayn);
the ritual prayer (salat); almsgiving (zakat); fasting the month of Ramadan (saivni), and the Hajj
to the sacred house of God (in Mecca). All are also in agreement about the foundations of
belief: belief in Allah (God), His angels, His scriptures, His messengers, and in the Day of
Judgment, in Divine Providence in good and in evil.
• Disagreements between the 'ulama (scholars) of the eight schools of Islamic jurisprudence are
only with respect to the ancillary branches of religion (furu) and some fundamentals (usul) [of
the religion of Islam]. Disagreement with respect to the ancillary branches of religion (furu) is a
mercy. Long ago it was said that variance in opinion among the 'ulama (scholars) "is a mercy".
This opinion has been endorsed by over 500 leading Muslim scholars worldwide including
Sheikh Muhammad Tantawi, Sheikh Ali Gomaa, Mufti Taqi Usmani, Sheikh Yusuf Al-Qaradawi,
Shaykh Abdullah bin Bayyah, Grand Ayatollah Khamenei, Ayatolla Sistani, Prof. Dr. Kamal
Hasan and grand muftis from several Muslim countries.
There are extremist elements among both Shias and Sunnis who, in some countries even resort
to violence, sometimes even inside mosques. Such elements must be exposed and isolated as
they breed disunity among Muslims and defame Islam. There is also no need for proselytisation
among Muslims. Dialogue between Shias and Sunnis must be promoted and encouraged, and
differences discussed in an environment of brotherhood.
We need to be aware that sectarian conflicts are being promoted by enemies of Islam who want
to impose their hegemony on Muslim societies and control the resources in Muslim states. We
see that in Iraq, Lebanon and Pakistan. Imperialist forces are working to partition Iraq, Lebanon,
and Pakistan along sectarian or tribal lines; instigating ‘moderate’ Arab states to join with the
United States and Israel to destroy Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in Palestine and bring about
regime change in Iran. Regrettably some ulamas have allowed themselves to be used as tools
by imperialists and despots for creating disunity among Muslims.
I appeal to you to take steps to promote unity among Muslims. I urge you to:
• Move the Rulers’ Council to discuss and endorse Resolution 152: Islam and the one ummah,
and the schools of Islamic jurisprudence adopted by the International Islamic Fiqh Academy in
July 2006
• Take steps to educate the officials from the state Islamic religious departments, the media and
the public on sectarian differences, Resolution 152 and the imperialist strategy to create disunity
among Muslims
• Get the National Fatwa Council to issue a fatwa endorsing the opinion embodied in Resolution
152
• Promote dialogue between Shias and Sunnis.
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PRESS RELEASE: MALAYSIA - Breeding Disunity Among Muslims
Thursday, 03 February 2011 11:33
Kind regards
Yours truly,
………………………………………..
S.M. Mohamed Idris
Chairman
Citizens International
Forwarded by IHRC solely for informational purposes, please contact source website for more
information.[ENDS]
Source: CITIZENS INTERNATIONAL
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