IN an effort to counter distorted Islamic views perpetuated by some opposition members, the unity government plans to appoint “asatizah” (religious leaders) as spokespersons, according to Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil.
Speaking on BFM’s The Breakfast Brief, Fahmi noted that these spokespersons would travel nationwide and engage with various communities to demonstrate that Islam does not align with certain views propagated by opposition MPs.
“They will engage with different groups of people to show them that Islam is not what some of these people (opposition MPs) espouse,” he said.
Responding to a question about the unity government’s effectiveness in championing the economy, good governance, and inclusivity in the face of an opposition bloc emphasising mono-ethnic and mono-religious ideals, Fahmi acknowledged the existence of opposition members with extreme Islamic views.
The Lembah Pantai MP drew parallels to the historical Kharijites, who held a “holier-than-thou” attitude and criticised those who did not share their beliefs.
Moreover, he also highlighted the opposition’s claims that Islam and Malay rights are under threat, often using DAP as a scapegoat.
To counter these narratives, Fahmi stressed the government’s need to demonstrate that Islamic teachings can vary and are not necessarily as portrayed by some political leaders.
Furthermore, he cited instances in Parliament where the opposition used religious scripture to justify what he deemed as “vitriol or nonsensical” arguments. Fahmi pointed out that while eradicating extreme poverty is a noble objective, the opposition would use scripture to question the fate of zakat if poverty were eliminated. – Jan 5, 2023
Main photo credit: Harian Metro
