DAP Socialist Youth (DAPSY) has come out to back the Housing and Local Government Ministry’s lights up for Christmas event held during the recent Christmas eve in the wake of criticism levelled by PAS Youth vice-chief Muhammad Hanif Jamaluddin on grounds that “the event involved Muslim staff”.
The wing’s national vice-chief Raja Ahmad Iskandar Fareez urged his PAS counterpart to stop weaponising Christmas celebrations to divide the society after PAS secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan himself acknowledged that Christmas celebrations are a “vital part of Malaysia’s rich cultural tapestry”.
Moreover, the DAPSY Bukit Bintang chief contended that Hamif should set a positive example for Malaysian youths in embracing religious and cultural diversity in Malaysia instead of acting as “an agent of sowing divisions that exploits faith as a cheap political tool.
“In preserving the harmony and diversity of the Malaysian society, I urge Hanif to understand the recent Christmas greetings by the PAS secretary-general,” Iskandar pointed out in a statement.
“In that message, Takiyuddin also alluded to the shared historical roots in the Abrahamic between Islam and Christianity as a potential strength to create a better nation.”
Hanif had in a social media posting fumed at Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming who is also the DAP vice-chairman for the latter’s lack of sensitivity that Muslims are forbidden “from directly participating in religious celebrations that are contrary to the Islamic faith”.
“The video shared by the minister clearly shows guests (some of whom are Muslim staff) being entertained by a Christmas carolling performance … Christmas carolling is forbidden because lyrics of the songs contain elements of Christianity which contradicts the syarak (Islamic law).”
Added Hanif: Muslims are taught to respect the beliefs and practices of other religions but there are limits that need to be maintained when it involves beliefs. Does the minister deliberately want to challenge Muslims?”
Taking a further swipe at Hanif, Iskandar also reminded his PAS counterpart that Takiyuddin himself has stated in his recent Christmas greeting that “Christians are the third-largest religious community in Malaysia”.
“It is practiced by various non-Malay ethnic groups, including Bumiputera from Sabah and Sarawak.
“This also includes civil servants in the Housing and Local Government Ministry from diverse religious and cultural backgrounds. Does the PAS Youth vice-chief believe that Christians, including Nga who is the minister and fellow civil servants, shouldn’t have the right to celebrate their festive day in a harmonious and inclusive manner?” – Dec 27, 2024
