MORE voices within PAS have come out to defend Public Service Department (JPA)-sponsored scholar Aisyah Shofi who has been subject to intense cyber harassment for expressing her dismay over an ‘after party’ event following completion of the Nottingham Malaysian Games Programme.
PAS Melaka information chief Wan Zahidi Wan Ismail said Aisyah had only expressed her opinion that the holding of the ‘after party’ which included dance activities and serving of alcohol beverages “clearly disrespected majority of the MSOC (Malaysian Society) members who are Muslim students for they, too, received invitation to attend the programme.”
“However, her video disclosure with good intention has received negative responses from many quarters who are unhappy with her views. She has since experienced cyber bullying with various parties uploaded (social media) content that criticised, insulted and mocked her,” he penned in PAS Melaka Facebook.
“Moreover, there are parties who are also trying to use government channels to urge Aisyah’s sponsor, the Public Service Department (JPA) and the Malaysian Students Department (MSD) to take action against her.”
Wan Zahidi further expressed regret over all the undue pressure exerted on Aisyah who was merely “voicing her opposition against malicious activities taking place in MSOC”.
“The organisation of such activities is not only against Islam but also against the Eastern norms and culture held by the people of this country,” he asserted. “PAS Melaka hopes that both the JPA and MSD will not heed any call for action to be taken against Aisyah because doing so is something very inappropriate and contrary to moral values.”
For the record, PAS-slant Sinergi Gerakan Mahasiswi (SIGMA) – a female Muslim graduate body – has commended the daughter of Melaka PAS women’s wing information chief Hawa Yaakub for her courageous action to rebuke the Nottingham Malaysian Games Programme.
Elsewhere, Selangor PAS commissioner Datuk Dr Halim Tamuri congratulated Aisyah while giving her his full support for her courage to speak up on the issue. “As a graduate who once studied in the UK, I understand the atmosphere there. One can easily drift away without strong religious belief,” the Paya Jaras state assemblyman recalled his student days.
“The culture of hedonism is glorified. It is even sadder that an event like this is organised by members of MSOC when the underlying culture clearly deviates from ours. Hopefully, there will be more young people who dare to speak up like sister Aisyah to carry out the responsibility of amar makruf nahi mungkar (enjoining the good and forbidding the wrong).” – Nov 28, 2023
