UMNO will defend Islam, oppose liberalism: Malaysian PM

Kuala Lumpur, NU Online
The United Malays National Organization (UMNO) will always work to promote Islam and will act as a defender of the religion if any evil force tries to hurt Islam in Malaysia while continuing its opposition against pluralism or liberalism.<>

These views were shared by the Malaysian Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, who has underscored that UMNO will always struggle for and defend Islam, and will strongly oppose those propagating pluralism or liberalism.

The UMNO President said that the position of Islam would always be defended as enshrined in the party constitution and in line with its position as the religion of the federation.

He said as quoted by Islamonline.com,  “I wish to emphasize here, that UMNO is undoubtedly committed to continue elevating Islam based on the objectives of the shariah, to protect the religion, life, property, mind, dignity and race.”

“At this assembly, we wish to state clearly that we strongly oppose those propagating pluralism or liberalism,” he said while delivering the presidential speech carrying the theme, “Transformative Leadership Towards Achieving National Vision” in conjunction with the opening of the UMNO General Assembly 2012 later this week.

Addressing the 2,759 delegates at the Dewan Merdeka, Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC), Najib strongly rejected the allegations by certain quarters that UMNO is a secular nationalist party.

Describing the allegation as “grossly incorrect,” Najib said that all this while it is UMNO that enabled Islam to be practiced as a righteous way of life in the multi-racial, multi-cultural and multi-religious nation.

Najib claimed that UMNO has done a lot to ensure the survival of Islam in the country.

The setting up of the Hajj Fund Management Board has enabled Muslims to save and perform the Hajj pilgrimage in a systematic manner, Islamic banking and financial services have also been widened.

In fact, Malaysia, which has been recognized as a model Muslim nation, has contributed to prosperity worldwide through the peacekeeping force, observers and medical teams sent to Islamic countries that were facing conflicts such as Bosnia, Somalia, Lebanon and Afghanistan.

Malaysia is also committed in obtaining justice for the people of Palestine, in fact, it may become the first country to open an embassy in the Palestinian capital.

Criticizing the attitude of the opposition, Najib said that UMNO is not prepared to divide the solidarity of the Muslims and would never curse its Muslim brothers like what has been done by the opposition.

He stated, “So, we wish to remind that we should no longer deceive the rakyat. UMNO was once accused as infidels through the message of Tuan Guru (Datuk Seri Hadi Awang)...UMNO was labeled as infidels for working with Malaysians who were not Muslims, as though (we) did not support the formation of a Muslim nation and implementation of hudud.”

He reminded that as a result of the message in 1981, Muslim solidarity had been divided and there was a feeling of hatred between the Muslims themselves.

“As a result, there was the Memali tragedy, Lubok Merbau incident, prayers led by two imams, husband and wife divorcing, and enmity within the family,” he added.

However, despite the malicious allegations and propaganda by the opposition against UMNO, the party’s struggles to empower Islam in Malaysia and the world is continued to be appreciated.

Malaysia has been placed in the fifth spot in complying with the Malaysian Shariah Index managed by a group of international ulamas, Najib concluded.

Editor : Sudarto Murtaufiq