By Syed Jaymal Zahiid
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 6 — Controversial former Perlis mufti Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin continued his campaign against his persecutors, the Selangor Islamic Affairs Department (Jais), by calling the agency extremists for not allowing non-Muslims to enter mosques in the state.
He had previously said that Jais should do away with "authorisation" letters for preachers as it goes against the freedom of expression, even within Islam.
This time he picked on Jais director Datuk Mohamed Khusrin Munawi who told Utusan Malaysia that non-Muslims cannot enter mosques as "they are like women with menstruation" after an alleged ceramah by Selangor executive councillor Dr Xavier Jeyakumar in a Klang mosque.
Muslim women who are menstruating usually do not go to mosques to pray.
"This is a shallow and narrow view. This is the kind of statement that repels and alienates non-Muslims from Islam. It gives a wrong and false impression of the religion," Asri told The Malaysian Insider today.
He added that even during the time of Prophet Muhammad, non-Muslims were allowed to enter mosques as this would be the best way for them to experience the religion first hand.
"It will give non-Muslims the opportunity to get to know Islam better and Muslims too can engage them in the spirit of constructive dialogue. Isn't this good for Islam?" commented Asri.
The university lecturer also said that he is certain that Jais will not take his views well and in anticipation of that warned them against labelling him a "Wahabbi" or a follower of a purist sect in Islam not recognised by the country's religious elite.
"Don't call me a Wahabbi simply because I have different views. As I said, even at the time of the great Prophet Muhammad, non-Muslims were allowed to enter mosques," he said.
Asri and Jais have been engaging each other in an ongoing war of words. The progressive views of the former Perlis mufti do not gel with the views of the conservatives which make up the majority of the country's religious elite.
He claimed his views and his rise to prominence have been viewed as a threat to their authority, saying the “war” between them culminated in his arrest last Sunday while he was giving a private talk in Ampang. He was freed on bail and is awaiting charges for lecturing without a “tauliah” or permit.
Jais denied that Asri's arrest was politically motivated.
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When we fail to read and learn about others, we are in danger of falling into pride that would reject any other thoughts and behaviours. We tend to think that we are right and others are wrong. Slowly this builts up and we start to hate , then to oppress and force others to follows our beliefs and thoughts. This is dangerous. It could lead to wars as its happening now
If we cant see others as equals and love them as ourselves, then we as bad and evil as we think others are. To love is to die and not hit back as we thought that we must live and others must die.
To say that others are unclean and Muslims are, is the most evil thoughts that can come from a fellow human being. They cannot be following a good teacher. As only God is good and God love all, then whoever obey God must also love their fellow neighbours. What ever their beliefs. race or creeds. If one do not want others to enter his beautiful garden, does he expect God to let him enter His more beautiful garden? Does he think that God loves Muslims only? God loves all and who ever obeys Him and do good to others , pleases Him. Muslims must forget that thruth and goodness only comes from Islamic teachings. This Muslims must learn more and not be deceived, and continue to stay in the dark.