PAS leader warns Muslims not to fall into liberalism 'trap'

Muslims should more careful when faced with the agenda of the 'enemies of Islam' who try and restrict or slow down the Islamic movement.

One of these plans is the "liberalisation movement, which runs parallel with missionary and orientalist movements," PAS information chief Nasrudin Hassan said in a statement yesterday.

"Their idea is to neutralise religious and religious practices in Islam through shared charities and actions with other religions in the name of racial unity and harmony," he said.

This comes as the latest salvo in the war of words over the presentation of zakat contributions by non-Muslim Pakatan Harapan leaders, and the breaking of fast by PKR's Johor Bahru MP Akmal Nasir in a Sikh gurdwara.

Akmal's gesture of goodwill earned a rebuke from Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar of Johor, but he was defended by de facto Islamic Affairs Minister Mujahid Yusof Rawa.

Nasrudin warned of tactics of dilution, saying that this liberal interfaith movement also tried to put Islam and other religions on an equal footing by saying that "all religions preach good values and encourage followers to attain a place in heaven."

"Mixing up special religious matters in Islam with customary and cultural practices will result in the special worship not being practised in accordance with the proper ritual arrangements," he added.

Targets of liberalisation

According to Nasrudin, the targets of liberalisation are Muslims who do not study Islam and are easily deceived by the "slogan of equality and racial harmony."

Nasrudin said the movement was trying to affect the confidence of Muslims in their own religion.

"They want to destroy the spirit of the Muslims to pursue syariah. They want to push the argument that Islamic law does not need to be accepted because of the plural society and the respect for religious diversity.

"Ultimately, they want Muslims not to feel guilty if they want to change their religion," he said.

"Islam is a religion of affection. Islam also maintains racial relations by respecting their rights even though they are non-Muslims."

"But Islam has a boundary line that needs to be obeyed. It is an exclusive right that can not be ignored. 

"Do not cross the border that God has set," he added.