JAN 16 ― The doublespeak over the Arabic word “Allah” and Kedah’s guidelines for entertainment has put the spotlight on PAS’s political philosophy and policies.
In the “Allah” issue, PAS has said the term may be used by all, even those who are not Muslims, as there is only one God. But it cannot be translated into or used in other religious texts apart from the Quran.
How does one reconcile this: That there is only Allah, but if you are not Muslim, your god cannot be called “Allah” in a religious text?
As for Kedah, the PAS-led Pakatan Rakyat state government has now backpedalled on restrictions for the Chinese New Year celebrations next month, but the damage is already done.
Yes, it is a predominantly-Malay state but there are other races who celebrate their own cultural and religious festivities that might involve adult men and women, not just youths.
PAS must understand that Malaysia is a multiracial country and belongs to all ― not just the Muslims, and not just the Malays. That it has joined PKR and DAP shows it knows it needs the support of all to form a government.
After all, the Alliance and now the Barisan Nasional have done it for years, demonstrating that no one race or community can go it alone in Malaysia.
Wasn’t this single-minded insistence on doing things its own way that unravelled the Barisan Alternatif a few years after the 1999 general election?
If PAS wants to insist on its way, say so now and Malaysians can decide how to treat Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat, Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang, Mohamed Sabu and their cohorts in the polls.
It must decide whether it is a party for all Malaysians or just exclusively for Muslims. One cannot cater to all Malaysians but have restrictions according to just one view.
Malaysia is for all, not just for one community.
Source: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/sideviews/article/pas-for-all-malaysians-or-just-muslims-the-malaysian-insider/
No comments:
Post a Comment