Non-Muslim rights promised by Allah, says Hadi
(The Malaysian Insider) – PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang said tonight that there must be a paradigm shift within his party to accept the importance of non-Muslims in its struggle to defend its Islamic convictions.
Hadi stressed that Islam had always taught Muslims to respect and protect the rights of non-Muslims.
“There must be a paradigm shift and we cannot be like Umno who purposely ignores its neighbours, MCA and MIC. They can easily forget and ignore their neighbours. This shows their illogical politics.
“We have to realise that non-Muslims are part of Malaysia and Islam teaches us how to govern a country with a multi-religious society,” he told a rally of more than 8,000 supporters at Stadium Malawati here tonight.
Hadi argued that the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) coalition symbolised a paradigm shift in PAS’s politics.
“Islam not only teaches us to respect Muslims but also non-Muslims and their places of worship. This is not a promise from PAS or PKR but from Allah.
“Pakatan Rakyat has been a success and we want this to be defended and strengthened. Hopefully Allah will give us victory in the general election,” he said.
Hadi’s message of political inclusiveness comes after reports that PAS was seeking to revive unity talks with Umno.
Earlier Hadi met with Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to close ranks after a shaky start to the year.
Top of the agenda for the meeting between Opposition Leader Anwar and the PAS president was the Christmas eve audience with the Yang diPertuan Agong, which was attended by Hadi, PAS spiritual leader Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, PAS deputy president Nasharudin Mat Isa and Umno’s top two leaders.
The dinner was seen as another attempt to revive the talks on political co-operation with Umno in the name of Malay/Muslim unity, although both Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Razak and Nik Aziz have refused to comment on the meeting.
However Hadi told his supporters tonight that Islam would always remain the party’s political end.
“There will be those who question the link between religion and politics. This shows that the person is ignorant of Islam even though he is a Muslim,” he said.
Hadi said PAS would have to be patient and take the correct route to capture Putrajaya.
“Allah has warned us that we must be on the right path and not follow the path of people that do not understand. There are those who want it quick and easy and win with the easy route. And there are those who are not confident of winning and believe that they weak.
“We must be patient and take the right route,” he said.
Nik Aziz later added that Umno leaders must not forget that death comes to all.
