Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi today called upon Umno members and leaders to remain true to the party’s struggles by championing the sovereignty of Islamic teachings.
The Umno vice-president, however, cautioned party members from sidelining other religions in their pursuit of empowering Islam.
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“In order for Islam to be respected, we must also respect other religions in the country.
“There may be quarters who fail to understand the beauty of Islam and deem it a 'backward' religion. And there are also quarters trying to disunite the Islamic community by enticing us to turn against each other.
“These challenges however could be overcome if we remain loyal to the party’s goals, which among others include upholding Islam,” said Zahid, who is also the Deputy Prime Minister when opening Puteri's event 'Daulatkan Islam Agama Negara'.
However, I was a bit perturbed with complaints by non-Muslim reporters who were barred from the event, and I believe Zahid himself was not aware of it.
“Sir, are you Muslim or not?” one of the officials asked this Malay Mail Online reporter, who replied in the negative.
“I’m sorry this event is only open to Muslims,” he said.
He was unable to explain the reason for the sudden exclusion, saying he had received instructions from higher up.
“That I don’t know, we just are following orders. We got orders that non-Muslims cannot enter.” Another non-Muslim reporter from a mainstream newspaper was also barred entry to the event earlier.
The Umno vice-president, however, cautioned party members from sidelining other religions in their pursuit of empowering Islam.
“There may be quarters who fail to understand the beauty of Islam and deem it a 'backward' religion. And there are also quarters trying to disunite the Islamic community by enticing us to turn against each other.
“These challenges however could be overcome if we remain loyal to the party’s goals, which among others include upholding Islam,” said Zahid, who is also the Deputy Prime Minister when opening Puteri's event 'Daulatkan Islam Agama Negara'.
However, I was a bit perturbed with complaints by non-Muslim reporters who were barred from the event, and I believe Zahid himself was not aware of it.
As a media practitioner myself, I don't quite agree with such an action by the organiser because no other political parties had subscribed to similar action.
Security officials were posted at the entrance of the event organised by the Puteri Umno wing titled DIAN or Daulatkan Islam Agama Negara, an acronym in Bahasa Malaysia that literally translates to Upholding the Sovereignty of Islam as the National Religion to screen reporters seeking to enter the hall where Zahid was to officiate.
“I’m sorry this event is only open to Muslims,” he said.
He was unable to explain the reason for the sudden exclusion, saying he had received instructions from higher up.
“That I don’t know, we just are following orders. We got orders that non-Muslims cannot enter.” Another non-Muslim reporter from a mainstream newspaper was also barred entry to the event earlier.
Contacted later, a representative of the event organiser told Malay Mail Online that the organiser has a right to impose restrictions on its coverage. “It is the organisers right, please respect that,” said the spokesman who declined to furnish his name.