Islam must be protected even in politics - Noh

The interest of Islam must be protected even in Muslims' political struggle, said Selangor Liaison Committee chairman Datuk Seri Noh Omar.

Referring to the issue of the ban on non-Muslims using the word "Allah", he noted that PAS Dewan Ulama chief Datuk Harun Taib had stated that PAS was together with Pakatan Rakyat (PR) only in politics but not in religious matters and that there was no compromise on Islam and Islamic rulings.

"Hence, the people need to look at the issue more clearly as whatever we fight for in politics, we must also defend our religion," he said in a statement issued Monday.

Noh said Selangor Umno also saw the state DAP as becoming big-headed when it proposed for the Selangor Non-Islamic Religions (Control of Propagation Among Muslims) Enactment 1988 to be amended.

"They (Selangor DAP) are seeing this issue as being politically beneficial for them without thinking of the implications of their proposal," he said.

Noh said the DAP had unashamedly called for the enactment to be amended as it was fighting for the interest of a non-Islamic religion in Selangor and felt that PR had the majority voice in the state assembly.

"Selangor Umno views DAP's interference in Islamic matters as trying to erode the power of Islam in Selangor in a practical way."

Noh said Selangor Umno was also disappointed with the statement by State Islamic Affairs, Agriculture Modernisation and Rural Development Committee chairman, Salehen Mukhyi on his plan to meet with the editor of the Catholic weekly, 'Herald', Father Lawrence Andrew.

"As a state exco (executive council) member in charge of Islamic matters, he should abide by the decree of the Selangor Sultan (on the use of the "Allah" word) and defend the action of Jais (Selangor Islamic Religious Department). On who is right or wrong, let the court decide," he said.

Noh said Andrew should be sensitive and understand the law governing religion in Selangor and not use ignorance as an excuse to violate the law.

He said Selangor Umno would continue to monitor developments concerning the "Allah" issue and urged the relevant authorities not to bow to pressure from certain quarters trying to undermine the position of Islam in Selangor.