PAS defends use of mosque to campaign

(The Star) KOTA BARU: Kelantan Mentri Besar Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat has defended the use of mosques by PAS to spread political messages, including campaign messages for the up-coming Manek Urai by-election.

He said there was nothing wrong in using mosques and the khutbah (Friday sermon) to call on the people to do good and to reject corruption and cruelty.

He said those delivering the khutbah were only carrying out their duties to heed God’s call to spread messages of truth to the people.

“I do not see why this is against the law. What is wrong in using the mosques to send good messages to the masses.

“I think what is wrong is the misuse of public tool like the media or government machinery. This is unfair,” Nik Abdul Aziz told reporters after the ground-breaking ceremony of the multi-million ringgit Bazaar Tok Guru in the heart of the town yesterday.

Nik Abdul Aziz, who is also PAS spiritual leader, said there was no need for the text of the khutbah to be scrutinised as the iman was carrying God’s message to the people to do the right thing.

He was asked to comment on the statement by Kelantan Umno Youth head Anuar Safian who claimed that PAS was using mosques to campaign for the Manek Urai by-election.

Anuar said it was not Islamic to use mosques to campaign, as it was God’s house. He urged the Kelantan Religious and Malay Customs Council to check the text used for Friday sermon to ensure that they did not contain PAS political messages.

On the choice of a PAS candidate for the by-election, Nik Abdul Aziz said the party would choose a suitable candidate who would have both religious and professional background.

He added that the chosen candidate would be well accepted by the Manek Urai voters.