Muslims want democracy, says Anwar

Criticised for voicing liberal views in the West while flirting with orthodox Islam at home, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has said there should be no reason for a contradiction between democracy and Islam.

“The vast majority of Muslims are under democratic rule... or are opting for democracy, as in Egypt,” the man vying to be prime minister told Financial Times (FT) in an interview published yesterday.

The influential international daily noted that the former deputy prime minister has drawn scepticism, even from admirers, that he can lead his fractious three-party Pakatan Rakyat (PR) to victory in the next general election or deliver his promises of a reformed government.

Muslims forced to eat pork before being shot: How far will Umno go?

It is sad to see that Utusan has taken the decision to highlight the atrocities by the Communists in this country. Although, it is very noble of them to relive history for the benefit of Malaysians, most people are totally aghast at the way Utusan chooses to do it.

Caricatures published in the Umno-owned newspaper of Muslims being forced to eat pork, before being shot is simply not very tactful. The Chinese and Indians and the rest of the non-Muslims in this country consume pork. Most Indians shun beef. Most Buddhists in this country and even pious Indians are vegetarians and do not consume meat of any kind.

Muslims celebrate Aidilfitri in joyous atmosphere

Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Nur Zahirah hosted Aidilfitri open house at the Istana Negara here today.

KUALA LUMPUR: Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Nur Zahirah hosted Aidilfitri open house at the Istana Negara here today.

The open house session for dignitaries was attended by Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak and his wife Rosmah Mansor, Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin and his wife Noorainee Abdul Rahman as well as cabinet ministers and foreign diplomats.

Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his wife, Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohamed Ali, were also among the 500 guests who attended the open house.

'Don't blame others if poor Muslims leave Islam'

Muslim scholar Asri Zainul Abidin has again highlighted the mismanagement of zakat funds in the country following recent claims in pro-UMNO dailies that Christian groups had been actively engaged in converting poor Muslims by offering money.

In some of his first reactions to the controversy sparked by the Selangor Religious Department's raid last week at the Damansara Utama Methodist Church in Petaling Jaya, Asri took to task state zakat authorities for ignoring the needs of people who deserve zakat.
On August 3, scores of officers from JAIS accompanied by policemen had entered the church located at the Dream Centre in Section 13, Petaling Jaya, taking down particulars of Muslim guests present at a dinner event there.