RIGHT OF MUSLIMS MUST BE RESPECTED

Dear Editor,

I REFER to press statement made by SAPP Youth Exco, Clement Lee, Daily Express, 14th November, 2012. As Head of Batu Sapi PAS Division, cum PAS Sabah Deputy Chief, PAS reminds all parties and individuals to stop questioning right of Muslims to have a proper place for  congregation for performing their  5 times obligatory daily prayers. 

A proper place in this respect is none other than a surau. Islam had made it compulsory upon every Muslims to say their prayers in 'jemaah' or congregation, and this is considered a 'Fardhu Kifayah', whereby, if they failed to perform congregational prayers in a particular village or a housing estate, no matter how small the number of Muslim populations there is, then it is considered a sin upon every Muslim individuals in that particular area.

The policy that had been in place for a long long time requiring housing developers to allocate a surau in a housing estate must not be removed or revoked simply because certain housing developers are now beginning to count the cost of land premiums that they have to bear which eventually will add up to the cost of houses they built hence passing the burdence to housebuyers.

There is no doubt that what the housing developers claimed are genuine and logical, but the answer to this problem is not to deny the right of Muslims to have a surau by revoking the policy, but rather it can be resolved by way of having consultation with the Ministry concern. The authority or the government should absolve the housing developers from paying land premiums meant for the construction of surau.

The government should take the responsibility in financing the establishment of the surau. Let not the business community and the super rich tycoons dictate government policies as this can cause a bias and unjust decision which eventually will lead to the  abuse on a particular race or religion.

On contention of uneasiness among Penampang people on hearing that mosques will be built in that area, I am appalled if indeed there is such feeling. But again, I sincerely believe that the feeling of uneasiness  are only voiced out by  two or three individuals thus it cannot be taken as a portrayal of the majority of the people there.

The Muslims are well known for their tolerance so much so that if one were to see the reality, there are two temples in Likas, in a kampung where the populations are predominantly Muslims. In Kg. Berhala Darat, Sandakan,  a predominantly Muslim area, there are two temples, one temple was built close to Muslim cemetery, yet the Muslims did not make any noise about it.

In Taman Fajar, Sandakan, also a Muslim majority area, there is one big church with a Christian pre-school built next to the church. Again, the Muslims could not be bothered about it. In Batu Sapi, an area of more than 95% Muslims population, there is one big Chinese temple and yet no Muslims protested about its existence there.

I am sure the Muslims will keep their eyes open and pass their judgment if the government gives in to the demand to abolish the policy that had been in place requiring housing estates to have surau.

Best Regards,

HJ. HAMZAH HJ. ABDULLAH