A RECENT action by the Selangor Islamic Department (JAIS) to investigate an incident in which Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil was deemed to have delivered a political speech in a mosque has sparked some interesting exchanges among Malaysiakini netizens.
For context, JAIS director Mohd Shahzihan Ahmad said the department had received complaints about Fahmi speaking at the Nurul Yaqin Mosque in Kampung Melayu Seri Kundang, Rawang on July 30.
Investigations are being carried out under Section 12 of the Selangor Syariah Crimes Enactment on suspicion of insulting religious authorities. After all, the Sultan of Selangor as the state’s religious head has prohibited politicking at mosques and surau.
In his defence, the Pantai MP has explained that he was asked by mosque congregants to explain the controversy surrounding British band The 1975 when he stopped by the mosque for Zohor (afternoon) prayers.
“I did not touch on other matters at all,” he tweeted, adding that congregants can vouch for him.
Netizen Pakataan4Life came to Fahmi’s rescue by ticking off JAIS “for making a mountain out of a molehill”. “Fahmi didn’t even once touch on politics. How did I know? I was there,” he insisted.
ACR also sided the PKR information chief for he was there talking in his capacity as a minister on a question posed by a congregant.
“The administration of the country goes on during elections. In fact, the Federal government is not a caretaker government presently. Obviously, some cannot distinguish between administration and politics,” opined the netizen.
However, netizen Scarecrow begged to differ as he opined that Fahmi “was there talking in his capacity as a politician about an issue which clearly has political ramifications on the listeners”.
While PurpleSalmom urged for calm by not attacking JAIS or to sensationalise the issue but to allow the religious body to conduct a proper investigation, he reckoned that Fahmi on his part “should be more careful and know better not to court controversy as it is campaign period (for the Aug 12 six state elections)”.
The most stinging of reaction would have come from netizen Proarte who branded Fahmi as “being a hypocrite of the first order”.
“He is not a religious scholar so what was he doing in the mosque talking about the ban on The 1975? Why were the congregation of the mosque, so he claims, so keen to know why he banned the indie/rock group?” wondered Proarte.
“Don’t the mosque’s authorities have more Islamically appropriate things to discuss? Unless the congregation of the Nurul Yaqin mosque were fans of The 1975 and had wanted to take minister Fahmi to task for banning The 1975. This is hardly likely, but it would be a refreshing change in the mindset.”
Added the netizen: “Let us face it that the ban on The 1975 was done for political reasons. There are a number of conspiracy theories out there and they are all plausible. Just prior to the crucial state elections, the Madani government (MG) in allowing a pro-LGBT band like The 1975 to perform in Malaysia would be seen as encouraging ‘decadent Western values’ to take root in Malaysia.”
Whatever the case is, Fahmi’s ‘violation’ – if there is indeed any – is no match if compared to that of PAS president Tan Sri Hadi Awang who has relentlessly been abusing the Rusila Mosque in his Marang constituency despite a ban against politicians delivering Friday sermons or making any politically-motivated speech in the holy house. – Aug 1, 2023
Main pic credit: Kosmo
