We Didn T Force Staff To Attend Xmas Do Says Ministry

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Screenshots of the video of the Christmas event held at the housing and local government ministry.
PETALING JAYA: The housing and local government ministry did not force any of its personnel to attend a Christmas function it organised recently, a source within the ministry said in the wake of criticism by a PAS leader.
“There was no directive saying it was compulsory to attend,” the source, who did not wish to be named, told FMT.
The source also said the carollers who performed at the event were East Malaysian Christians.
“They were Christian Bumiputeras. We intentionally did that (to not include Muslims in the performance),” the source said.
The source also said the Christmas carols sung were secular in nature, like “We Wish You A Merry Christmas”.
The source was referring to a Facebook post by PAS Youth vice-chief Hanif Jamaluddin, who took issue with the celebration as it involved Muslim staff.
Hanif said the minister, Nga Kor Ming, should understand that Muslims were prohibited from getting directly involved in celebrations of faiths that went against Islamic teachings.
He also cited a fatwa that says it is haram for Muslims to take part in carolling because the lyrics went against Islamic law.

“Muslims are taught to respect the religious beliefs of others, but there is a limit. Is the ministry trying to challenge Muslims?” he said.
The source said Nga was not trying to challenge Muslims and had stated at the event that he respected Islam as the official religion of the federation.
Melaka DAP Youth chief Cassel Krishnan asked if PAS would ban Christmas carols in public places if it came to power.
“Go to any public space in Malaysia in December, for example, a shopping mall, and we will naturally hear songs and see Christmas-themed decorations. Under PAS’s stance, should all this be banned?” he asked in a statement. - FMT

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