Baptism Of Fire For Pas Non Muslim Wing Chief After Freely Citing Quranic Verse

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PAS has been accused of practising double standards by condoning its Dewan Himpunan Pendukung PAS (DHPP) a.k.a. PAS Non-Muslim Supporters Wing (DHPP) chief Balasubramaniam Nachiappan to cite (in Arabic) and interpreting a Quranic verse during the party’s recent 71st muktamar (general assembly) in Kedah.
Staunch Madani backer CIKYANie (@lady_bugg11) took a jibe at the Islamist party by recounting the brouhaha stemming from Ipoh Timur MP Howard Lee Chuan How having forced to apologise after being accused of making his own interpretation of a Quranic verse in a viral video in September 2023.
“Back when Howard Lee read translated verses from the Quran, PAS and its walaun (slang for hardcore PAS supporters) gang went all out in uproar, claiming that Lee insulted Islam,” lambasted the social media influencer on X.

“But when Bala cited Quranic verse (in Arabic) and even read out its translation, how then can this be tolerated as halal?
“Since when did Bala convert to Islam? Or is it enough to just follow the political narrative and everything becomes sacred?”
Added CIKYANie: “If you truly love Islam, judge everyone equally. Don’t just follow skin colour or party lines. This episode will open the eyes of the public that all this while, ‘religion’ has just been a tool for PAS’ politics.”
Balasubramaniam Nachiappan (left) with PAS president Tan Sri Hadi AwangFor the record, Balasubramaniam who had served as a PAS-nominated senator from June 16, 2020 to June 15, 2023 had cited the Surah As-Saff verse 4 which states, “Indeed, Allah loves those who fight in His cause in a row as though they were a [single] structure joined firmly” during his adjournment speech on Sept 15.
However, preacher and author Syihabudin Ahmad lamented that Balasubramaniam has cited the Quranic verse “out of context”.
“While it may be fine to cite (in Arabic) and provide the translation to a Quranic verse, one must get the context right,” justified the 36-year-old Perlis-born preacher who holds a first degree in Islamic jurisprudence and law from the Al-Azhar University in Egypt.

“No doubt Bala spoke in the context of DHPP members being formally absorbed into PAS under a new category of associate membership and the wing’s willingness to uphold Islamic struggle as part of the bigger PAS family but the context is flawed in that the verse is strictly directed at Muslims fighting to uplift their faith in Allah.”
Added non-partisan Syihabudin who nevertheless credited Balasubramaniam for his effort:
“It’s not wrong to be a supporter of Islam although it would be better if Bala is a Muslim … I’m fine with non-Muslims reading. citing (in Arabic), translating or even interpreting the Quran – whether they’re members of PAS, DAP or liberal socialists – for the holy scripture is the ultimate source of truth.
“In this regard, perhaps some senior PAS leaders can show Bala where lies the flaw so there’s room for improvement in the future.”
But very few Muslims think like Syihabudin, hence the baptism of fire directed against the non-Muslim ‘ustaz’ is inevitable: 





- Focus Malaysia 

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