Talking Bibles: PAS won’t entertain Hasan

PETALING JAYA: Selangor PAS Commissioner, Abdul Rani Osman, today said that PAS will not entertain the latest claim by his predecessor, Hasan Ali, that solar-powered talking Bibles are being used to convert Muslims in Selangor.


Hasan, who heads the state’s Islamic affairs portfolio, yesterday announced this as part of research conducted by the state’s religious authority (JAIS).

His statement has earned him a tongue-lashing from Islamic scholar, Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin, for insulting both Muslims and the Islamic faith.

But no PAS leader has publicly chastised Hasan as yet and Abdul Rani said he doubted that any would take the bait.

“Hasan’s statement is a provocative move and unfortunately we don’t have a state disciplinary body,” he said. “But entertaining this would only have a negative affect on Pakatan Rakyat.”
Hasan’s claim comes just three months after a controversial raid by JAIS on the Damansara Utama Methodist Church (DUMC) following allegations of proselytisation during a charity dinner there.

But Abdul Rani dismissed speculation that it could further resurrect tensions between Muslims and Christians in the state.

“PAS is not at all worried about that because this issue is not as big as certain quarters hope to make it,” he said.

“So we will turn a blind eye rather than add fire to it. With elections around the corner, we have bigger issues to focus on like corruption.”

Baptism certificates

Abdul Rani, the Meru assemblyman, also confirmed rumours of controversial booklets being distributed in Selangor aimed at triggering Muslim-Christian conflict.

According to a source, these booklets are being circulated by suraus in the state and depict Muslims holding baptism certificates with a background image of DUMC.

FMT has not received a copy of this booklet but understands that the both the baptism certificates and the DUMC images were superimposed.

“This is the work of irresponsible people,” Abdul Rani said. “In Meru, too, there are banners attacking (Bersih chairperson) S Ambiga and DUMC.”

“Whoever is responsible is doing this because they don’t understand Islam. I have a Bible in my house so I can study and undestand the Christian faith better. There is nothing wrong with that.”
Abdul Rani branded the booklets and banners as a political move to put a wedge between PAS and DAP as well as Muslims and non-Muslims.

“These people want to send out the message that such incidents have only occurred during Pakatan’s rule in Selangor,” he said. “They are trying to tell the people to return to Umno which is the true salvation.”