Jul 26: Several PAS leaders have rubbished the claim by the National Security Council that the country was faced with a so-called 'Wahhabi' terror threat endorsed by among others former Perlis Mufti Asri Zainul Abidin and many junior UMNO-leaning Islamic graduates.
"This is the BN's narrow propaganda, and it affects Malaysia's image at the international arena," said PAS deputy president Mohamad Sabu(right) in response to reports claiming that the NSC had briefed state muftis and religious agencies, warning them against Wahhabism and accusing the Saudi Arabian government of being behind its activities.
Wahhabism, often used derogatorily on followers of Muhammad ibn Abdul Wahhab, was a radical reform movement aiming to fight what it called were innovative practices that had creeped into Islamic teachings. The movement, which was founded in the early stage of the Saudi dynasty in the 1700s, had the support of Muhammad ibn Saud who adapted Wahhabi teachings in its administration in appreciation of its political support to the Saudi family's bid to take control of Makkah and Madinah.
Although other Islamic reform movements have since emerged with similar views as Ibn Abdul Wahhab's, the latter's teachings were considered divisive by most Islamic scholars due to its refusal to engage different schools of thought within Islam.
Earlier, several news portals said the NSC meeting had focused solely on the issue of 'Wahhabism' and 'terrorism'.
"It was decided that those with links to this belief may head towards terrorism,” The Malaysian Insider quoted a source.
This is not the first instance Asri, who often criticise certain unIslamic practices among Malays, has found himself being thrown the Wahhabi label.
Joined UMNO to avoid ISA
According to a reliable source, several junior Muslim scholars who graduated from the Middle East and espoused Wahhabi-leaning views had prior to this been under a government watch list.
The source added that the Home ministry was said to be preparing to arrest many among them under the draconian Internal Security Act, which in the past had also been used against followers of the Shi'ite school of thought.
Sensing this, it was suggested that the graduates declare their support to UMNO in a bid to thwart any action under the ISA.
In an act of desperation, the suggestion was accepted, and in June last year, several of these young scholars - forty according to one figure - joined UMNO in a ceremony arranged by former Perlis Menteri Besar Shahidan Kassim. Since then, the group has been known as UMNO's "young ulama", led by one Fathul Bari who only recently was tasked with campaigning against electoral reforms movement Bersih.
Yesterday, Asri (left) lashed out at the government for accusing the same young Islamic graduates of terrorism despite their decision to support UMNO.“I have also been included (in the watch list), but I don’t care.
"What is strange is that the 40 young UMNO ulamas are also in the terrorist list, especially Fathul Bari, in spite of working hard to defend the UMNO government," he commented on his Facebook page.
Asri had recently clashed with the group by stating his support for Bersih's demands, and stressing that Islam encouraged peaceful political rallies.
Meanwhile, PAS vice president Husam Musa said the latest allegation by the government could hurt ties with some Arab governments including Saudi Arabia.
“Furthermore, we are already fighting France,” quipped Husam, in an apparent reference to the government's deportation of French rights lawyer William Bourdon last Friday.
Another PAS vice president Mahfuz Omar echoed Husam's concern, saying Malaysia was risking its ties with these countries.
“Seen from the perspective of Islamic spirit, this is not good,” he said.
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