PUTRAJAYA: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi reminded all quarters, especially political leaders, not to use religion as a tool to achieve political goals.
Addressing the media after launching the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Department (Jawi) Mobile Surau 2.0 on Friday (March 1), Ahmad Zahid emphasized that matters related to Islam, Islamic law, and fatwa should be off-limits when expressing views and opinions on any subject.
He stated, “If the issues pertain to Islamic laws that can be referenced in the Quran, hadith, analogical reasoning (qiyas), and consensus of scholars (ijtihad), I don’t need to advise any party leader with a religious background to adhere to that path. However, they should refrain from using religion as a means to achieve political objectives.”
His comments came in response to Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, who expressed deep regret and described PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang’s recent statement as highly inappropriate.
Ahmad Zahid commended the Sultan’s decree, which he viewed as a cautionary message not only to the public but also to political leaders, including those from Umno, urging them to avoid similar actions.
Yesterday, Sultan Sharafuddin took to the Selangor Royal Office Facebook page to express his disappointment over Abdul Hadi’s statement titled “Ketinggian Islam Wajib Dipertahankan” on Feb 20, directed towards religious scholars, judges, lawyers, MPs, State Legislative Assemblies members, and the Malay Rulers.
The Sultan criticized the statement, deeming it highly inappropriate due to its lack of decorum from the standpoint of Malay culture, which traditionally values respect and etiquette in expressing views and advice to the Malay Rulers.
Switching focus to the Jawi Mobile Surau 2.0, Ahmad Zahid highlighted the government’s strong support for companies contributing through endowments (wakaf) for the community’s benefit.
He urged, “I hope that more private companies, not limited to transportation firms, but across various sectors, can follow suit and contribute to endowing buses for use as mobile surau like this.”
Jawi, in a statement, revealed that the Jawi Mobile Surau 2.0 is a collaborative effort with Konsortium E-Mutiara Bhd and CIMB Islamic Bank Bhd to convert a double-decker bus into a prayer space and mobile religious and outreach activity center.
The double-decker bus, valued at RM350,000, was donated by Konsortium E-Mutiara, with CIMB Islamic Bank and individuals sponsoring the modification costs through zakat wakalah amounting to RM200,000.
The Jawi Mobile Surau 2.0 can accommodate up to 35 worshippers at once and is equipped with prayer amenities such as carpets, prayer mats, prayer garments (telekung), and a public announcement system.
The passenger area of the bus has been transformed into a comfortable prayer and activity space, while the storage section now houses water for ablution purposes.
Also in attendance at the event were Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar, Chairman of the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Council (MAIWP) Syed Kamarulzaman Syed Kabeer, and JAWI director Datuk Mohd Ajib Ismail. – Bernama
