Pork stalls' visit - Muslims must be open-minded says Pas

KUALA LUMPUR: Pas’ Ulama Council deputy chief Datuk Mahfodz Mohamad says the Al-Quran doesn’t forbid Muslims from going to pork stalls, so it was alright for Pas leaders to meet the people at stalls selling pork meat.

Defending the actions of two Pas leaders who distributed angpows and oranges at pork stalls in Mersing and in Selangor in conjunction with the Chinese New Year celebrations, Mahfodz said there was no reason why Muslims should make a big fuss over those visits.

"There is no prohibition in Islam stopping Muslims from going to pork markets. As long as Muslims know what is right and wrong, they don’t have to create a big fuss about it.

"I don't find the visits odd, at all. In fact this shows how Pas is more open and approachable to people at all level, as what is stated in our "Pas for all" slogan," he added.

Pas information chief Datuk Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man shared similar views, saying it is not wrong for Muslims to do so, as long as they understood what is allowed and prohibited in Islam.

"People make it an issue as though we are changing our views and policies but that is not the case. We only use different approach to people, especially non-Muslims to show that we respect their faiths and cultures as well," he said.

However Barisan Nasional's MP for Kota Belud Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan thinks Pas leaders are a confused lot who have been contradicting themself.

“Pas leaders have gone overboard in their choreographed public relations effort to show how open-minded they are.

"To be fair, I don’t think it is wrong for them to go to pork markets or stalls but it was only a display of public relations rhetoric," he quipped.

The Sabah BN state secretary said Pas has shown how disconnected they are with the Malays psyche.

"I believe Pas is a very confused party now," he added.

Mersing Pas branch chairman Rosalan Mamat told The Mole Muslims should be more open-minded.

“Pork is haram for Muslims, but it is okay for non-Muslims to eat pork. Nowhere it is stated that it was haram for me to visit pork stalls,” Rosalan said adding that he could just simply samak (a Muslim ritual of washing using water mixed with earth) if he had accidentally touched the pork meat.

Rosalan brushed aside accusations that his ‘pork stall visits’ were nothing more than purely public relation gimmicks to gain votes from the Chinese community.

“It’s time for everyone to stop being prejudiced and start to accept reality. Malaysia is a country where everyone is free to practice their religion. Muslims should change their orthodox way of thinking and tolerate the differences,” he said.

Rosalan and Selangor executive council member Iskandar Abdul Samad were praised by certain quarters for respecting Chinese culture after their ‘pork stall’ visits.

Several blogs were however critical of their move, with a posting suggesting Pas leaders’ actions showed their readiness to compromise Islam for votes.

Cempaka state assemblyman Iskandar shared Rosalan’s views. 

In a text message reply to The Mole Iskandar  who is Cempaka state assemblyman said :- “People are overly sensitive about the issue. I was there to give away angpow and not to eat pork.”

“Shouldn’t people be more sensitive towards serious matter like corruption?” he questioned.

Iskandar said he was a leader for all Malaysians and not only for the Malay or Muslims. 

Source: MOLE