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Islamic followers will be divided if religion deviates, says Dr Mahathir

Islamic followers will be divided if religion deviates, says Dr Mahathir

If Islam becomes a forceful, cruel religion that prioritises sects over the Quran, the faithful will be divided, former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said today.

In his latest blog post, Dr Mahathir said there were many parties who were dissatisfied that Islam was a soft faith, considerate and just.

"These quarters want Islam to be forceful, cruel even," said Malaysia's longest serving prime minister.

"Those responsible for keeping the Islamic faith in Malaysia appear to want to raise the Prophet higher than the word of God in the Quran," he observed.

"Power corrupts easily, and unlimited power will influence a person's mind. Islam is a moderate religion which is considerate and just," he said.

He expressed sadness over the recent arrest of scholar Kassim Ahmad, who was picked up by religious enforcement officers and the police.

"Kassim is already 80 years old and unwell, but he was arrested, taken to court and charged with insulting Islam," Dr Mahathir said.

On March 27, Kassim @ Osman Ahmad was charged at the Shariah High Court with two counts of insulting Islam and disobeying fatwa in relation to anti-Hadith groups.

He was charged under Section 7(b) of the Shariah Criminal Offences Act (Federal Territories) 1997 which carries a fine of not more than RM3,000 or not more than two years of jail or both, if convicted.

Kassim claimed trial to presenting a speech entitled, "National Political Conference to Determine Malaysia's Direction in the Next 30 Years," at a seminar on the Thoughts of Kassim Ahmad.

The speech contained quotations on why there was a need to praise Prophet Muhammad.

Another quotation was on the new changes in women’s aurat and that women’s hair was not part of their aurat.

Kassim pleaded not guilty to the second charge of presenting the same speech containing quotations from two books, "Hadis: Satu Penilaian Semula" and "Hadis: Jawapan Kepada Pengkritik".

The two books had been banned by the fatwa gazetted on February 8, 1996 pertaining to anti-Hadith groups.

The offences were allegedly committed at the Perdana Global Leadership Foundation in Putrajaya between 9am to 5pm on February 16.

Dr Mahathir said Kassim's arrest portrayed Malaysia as aspiring to become an Islamic country that uses force to make its followers live in fear.

"Islamic followers are being made to live in fear of being arrested if they violate an edict issued by the powers that be," he said.

"There are many in Malaysia who insult the Islamic religion. Some Muslims belittle the prophet, Allah, issue their own edicts and expand deviant teachings.

"But these people are not even reprimanded, let alone arrested. But Kassim who is elderly and needs a cane to walk, is accused of being anti-Hadith and arrested."

Dr Mahathir said there were many anti-Hadith followers in Malaysia who rejected the Hadith, did not follow many of the prescribed Islamic teachings and were not bearded.

He said there are Islamic countries where non-bearded men were executed, and women accused of adultery were stoned or shot dead.

"But adultery only applies to women, the men would get off scot-free. In the Quran, both parties are equally guilty, but many Islamic followers exclude the men," he said.

While praising Malaysia that such extreme practices were not carried out here, Dr Mahathir noted there were some parties who wanted such practices in the country.

He said he was saddened by the fact that Kassim was arrested and charged in court while others were free to continue with their un-Islamic practices. – April 18, 2014.