Husam gives 'crash course' on jihad to Perkasa chief

KUALA LUMPUR, May 16: The call for a 'jihad against crusaders' by right wing group Perkasa attracted a swift rebuke from PAS central committee member Husam Musa (pic), urging its leader Ibrahim Ali to not abuse the Islamic term to serve narrow political ambitions.

Husam, who is also Kelantan Exco member, was responding to Ibrahim's statement during the weekend that his group would launch a 'jihad' against Christians in the country if they continued to 'threaten' the position of Islam.

“I advise him not to abuse the term 'jihad' which is a noble and holy pursuit in Islam, and not to bring Machiavellian politics in order to perpetuate UMNO-BN power," said Husam.

Husam reminded that the claim by UMNO-owned Utusan Malaysia and several UMNO-leaning bloggers that Christians wanted to undermine Islam as the official religion was not true.

He added that Perkasa was unfit for any call to jihad as the organisation condoned vices and corruption by the authorities, and only sought to champion issues based on narrow racism.

“Where was Perkasa when MCA president, as the main partner of UMNO in BN, came personally to Kelantan with a view to lift the ban on gambling premises in a state where 95 per cent are Muslims," he asked.

Husam said the priority for jihad should be in fighting the corrupt practices by BN.

SITTING TALL ... Ibrahim wants to lead a campaign against Malaysian 'crusaders'

Husam also reminded Ibrahim that Islam enjoined its followers to deal with others with wisdom, as ordained in the Qur'an:
And by the Mercy of Allah, you dealt with them gently. And had you been severe and harsh-hearted, they would have broken away from about you; so pass over (their faults), and ask (Allah's) Forgiveness for them; and consult them in the affairs. Then when you have taken a decision, put your trust in Allah, certainly, Allah loves those who put their trust (in Him). [Meaning of Qur'an, 3:159]

“If we reflect upon this verse, if Perkasa really wants to strengthen Islam, it can do it through policies and actions which are in line with Islam such as justice and good governance, not through fiery speeches," he said.

On a lighter note, Husam quipped that Ibrahim should first return his parliamentary seat of Pasir Mas, which he won on a PAS ticket in 2008.

Describing his seat as his debt to the Islamic party, he reminded the pro-UMNO MP that a person going for jihad was required by Islam to first settle his debts.