Buy an island and live there, Muslim activist tells PAS over Christmas greetings

(FMT) – The call by a PAS leader for Muslims to stay away from Christmas celebrations drew a sharp rebuke from a vocal critic of conservative Islam, saying the Islamist party is suffering from a failure to appreciate Islamic teachings as well as multiculturalism.

“Perhaps it is time for PAS to think whether they should buy an island and proclaim it as an Islamic State and live exclusively with their own kind with the same mentality,” Dr Ahmad Farouk Musa told FMT.

He was responding to PAS Youth chief Muhammad Khalil Hadi, who said Christmas, which celebrates the birth of Jesus, a central figure in Christianity who is also revered by Muslims, was contrary to Islamic teachings.

Khalil, who is the son of PAS strongman Abdul Hadi Awang, said this was because Christians believe Jesus was the son of God and therefore amounted to shirk, or associating others to God.

He said while it is allowed to wish a Christian neighbour out of respect, a Muslim should not liberally take part in such greetings including on social media.

“It is as if we are endorsing their religion,” Khalil said.

Farouk, who heads the Islamic Renaissance Front, said Khalil was displaying a “type of mentality that is not suitable to live in a multiracial and multi-religious society”.

“Since when do Muslims who wish Merry Christmas believe in the trinity of God?” he asked.

“Any greeting for any celebration, no matter if it is associated with culture or creed, is mainly an act of goodwill and friendship.

“Didn’t Imam Ali say that ‘a person is either your brother in faith, or your equal in humanity’?” Farouk added.