Infidel label for DAP’s ‘mentality’ only, says mufti

KUALA LUMPUR — Days after Pahang mufti Dr Abdul Rahman Osman stirred controversy for allegedly labelling members of the opposition Democratic Action Party (DAP) “kafir harbi” (non-Muslim infidels), the religious leader has stated that he was not referring to the party’s members, adding that the term only applied to people who opposed Islam.

“I did not simply refer the term ‘kafir harbi’ to the DAP, but to anyone who opposes Islam. That is what I meant,” he was quoted as saying by the Sinar Harian news portal yesterday, adding that he was only referring to the opposition party’s ideology rather than any specific person.

“I didn’t name any individuals, but DAP has a mentality that can be categorised as ‘kafir harbi’. Their thinking is clearly to try and wage war or poison the Islamic way of life from being upheld. This is what we oppose.”

But the religious leader stood by his use of the term, citing among others the DAP’s objection to Parti Islam Se-Malaysia’s (PAS) private member’s Bill to enhance the powers of Syariah courts in Kelantan, which has been dubbed the hudud Bill.

Under hudud law — an Islamic criminal code — punishment such as amputation for crimes such as stealing can be meted out.

Dr Abdul Rahman further insisted that Muslims must defend their religion from slander, but did not elaborate on this. The Pahang mufti also denied that his remark was political in nature, but was made in defence of Muslim rights and based on his religion.

Dr Abdul Rahman also asserted that he has not made political remarks before, ignoring his previous attack against DAP when the Pahang religious department issued an Aidiladha sermon last September that claimed it was against Islam to join the DAP.

On Friday, Dr Abdul Rahman was quoted in Utusan Malaysia (a newspaper linked to ruling United Malays National Organisation) as labelling the DAP “kafir harbi” over its opposition to hudud laws, adding as well that it would be a “great sin” for Muslims to support the party. It is believed that those categorised as “kafir harbi” can be killed for being against the implementation of Islamic principles and going against God.

Dr Abdul Rahman has come under criticism from Muslims and non-Muslims alike for the remark that critics contend would incite violence and extremism, given the growing influence and presence of militant groups such as Islamic State in Malaysia. Even Perkasa Malay rights group president Ibrahim Ali, a frequent and vocal detractor of the DAP, said the Pahang mufti was excessive to label the opposition party “kafir harbi” simply due to political or other differences.

DAP secretary-general and Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said yesterday that Dr Abdul Rahman’s remark was outrageous and unacceptable because the party has never been against Islam. “Such harsh words should not have come out of the mouth of a mufti who holds a very high and noble rank. The remark is tantamount to a call on people to commit murder,” he told reporters.

Mr Lim added that if the DAP had been against Islam, the Penang state government would not have set aside any allocations for Islamic religious affairs, or to build religious schools or to even provide land to build the Syariah courts complex. AGENCIES