Activist says God will punish ‘arrogant’ Umno minister for denouncing Isma

KUALA LUMPUR — A central committee member of Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (Isma) today (Dec 24) labelled Mr Abdul Rahman Dahlan “arrogant” after the Umno minister publicly scorned the group for warning Muslims against wishing Christians “Merry Christmas”.

According to Mr Mohd Hazizi Ab Rahman, the Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government minister will be given a “harsh lesson” by God for his arrogance, and that this would similarly affect others.

“I am aware of the current arrogance of Umno members, who are still comfortable and proud of their party although the Malays are now under threat,” Mr Mohd Haziz said in a public Facebook update on his page, which has since been re-posted by Isma’s official account.

“The attitude of this minister symbolises the epitome of the arrogance of Umno leaders today,” he added, referring to Mr Abdul Rahman, while attaching a screen capture of the minister’s tweets yesterday.

“You cannot educate this kind of ignorance, so only Allah will teach him with a harsh lesson. But unfortunately everyone will have to suffer it, not just him,” he added.

Mr Abdul Rahman took to Twitter yesterday to scoff at Isma’s claim that Muslims should not celebrate Christmas or even wish Christians “Merry Christmas”.

The Umno leader used the micro-blogging site to blast his “Merry Christmas” wish to all Christians, and even announced plans to host an even bigger Christmas celebration this year in his Sabah constituency Kota Belud.

“Isma says I can’t greet my fellow Christian friends “Merry Christmas”. Well, I want to say it anyway -> Merry Christmas everyone. #1Malaysia,” Mr Abdul Rahman wrote on his Twitter account.

“Not only I wish big Merry Xmas to all, I will host a bigger Christmas celebration this year in KB. Isma is invited to learn abt moderation,” he added.

The Umno leader pointed out that all Sabahans are taught to be moderate and to respect the practices of their non-Muslim family and friends.

“Isma will never understand this. So butt out!” he wrote.

“Isma is not my voice. They don’t represent me and many millions Muslim Malaysians. Religious bigotry has no place in moderate Malaysia,” Mr Abdul Rahman added.

On Sunday, Isma activist Abu Ameen was reported saying in a commentary that although it is natural for Muslims to show kindness to those of other faiths, they should also be wary of how far they could go without violating Islamic principles.

Abu also reportedly explained that although contemporary scholars believe that wishing Christians “Merry Christmas” is “harus” (permissible) for Muslims, traditional scholars consider it “haram” (forbidden).

Adding fuel to the fire today, Isma activist Hanan Othman also took to her Facebook page to suggest that Malays use “Happy Holidays” instead of “Merry Christmas” as their greeting of choice.

“This is not to sow hate or enmity, but wishing Merry Christmas is the same as wishing happy birthday to Jesus Christ ‘the Son of God’,” Ms Hanan said in an update on her page.

“To friends who celebrate Christmas, please respect the Muslims’ stand. Happy holidays,” she added.

In 2007, the National Fatwa Council decreed that Muslims cannot greet non-Muslims during their festivities if the greetings involve issues of faith or recognise that other religions are of equal position with Islam. THE MALAY MAIL ONLINE