PAS spiritual leader Hashim Jasin has dismissed Bukit Aman counter-terrorism chief Normah Ishak’s claims that PAS is banking on the Taliban to improve its Islamic image.
Calling the claim an attempt to tarnish the party’s image, Hashim insisted that there was no proof that PAS was “following” the Taliban.
“If you look at the violence we see now (in Afghanistan), does PAS use violence like the Taliban? None at all. PAS is normal, just like other political parties,” he was quoted as saying by news portal Free Malaysia Today.
“We don’t force people. We only preach to invite (people to embrace Islam). Those who do, we thank God. We don’t take any action against those who don’t. She’s trying to tarnish PAS’ image.”
Speaking in a webinar titled “Next Generation Afghan Alumni? Assessment from Southeast Asia” yesterday (April 6) Normah said that PAS did so when praising the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan after the withdrawal of the US troops from the country in August 2021.
She cited PAS international affairs and external relations committee chairman Muhammad Khalil Abdul Hadi’s congratulatory message to the Taliban after its takeover of Afghanistan in August last year.
Muhammad Khalil who is PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang’s son posted a tweet in which he said that the Taliban had “liberated” Afghanistan after it had been colonised and invaded.
His tweet was subsequently deleted.
“They are creating narratives to the party’s advantage, forming opinions and perceptions among Muslims in Malaysia so that Muslims in Malaysia (think) ‘Taliban is okay now; they will be fine without armed support’,” Normah remarked.
“The recognition by an Islamic party for the Taliban’s struggle augurs well with fans of terrorism in Malaysia.”
However, Normah reminded the people that the Malaysian Government has yet to recognise the Taliban Government.
In a statement published in PAS mouthpiece Harakah Daily on Aug 25, 2021 Hadi had defended the Taliban, claiming that they have changed.
He also urged Muslims not to be influenced by the coverage of the Taliban by the Western media, which he described as “media fasiq” (evil media). – April 7, 2022
