Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah Anwar called on protesters today to remain calm in seeking the truth over claims that a mosque here was pressured to stop broadcasting its call to prayer on loudspeakers.
The PKR vice-president also sought to determine who had ordered the mosque committee to lower the volume of the broadcasts and whether the relevant authorities have written guidelines on the matter.
“Truth must be sought in a civil manner. Moderation and harmony must be preserved. Therefore, I urge all protesters to work with me in finding the truth on Al-Ikhlasiah Mosque issue,” said Nurul Izzah in a statement.
A text message has been circulating over the past few days urging Muslims to gather outside the mosque in Pantai Dalam here, claiming that a “Chinese lawyer” had demanded the mosque stop the “azan” (call to prayer) recital.
The Kuala Lumpur Pekida has admitted that it would lead today’s protest after Friday prayers, claiming that the mosque was forced to give in to the unnamed lawyer’s demand after the latter complained to several leaders including Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
Today, Nurul Izzah urged leaders to whom the complaint had been addressed to come forward and clarify their responses.
“Who made the report and was the content of the letter investigated to find the truth?” she asked.
“If it is true that the letter was sent officially to the prime minister, Datuk Raja Nong Chik Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharon, Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz, Tan Sri Koh Tsu Koon and religious advisor to prime minister, Datuk Seri Abdullah Mat Zin, what was their response?
“The protesters must ask those addressed in the letter, what was their response?” she said
The Muslim call for prayer’s five recitals daily first became a political issue in 2008, when Selangor Executive Councillor Teresa Kok was arrested under the Internal Security Act (ISA) for allegedly asking a Puchong mosque to stop playing the azan over its loudspeaker.
Kok, who was released a week after her arrest, denied the allegation while the mosque’s committee members also came forward to defend the Selangor DAP chairman.
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Syabas Nurul!!, a good intention and well crafted direction on the matter.
We need more of the same mantled leader to accord the nation a better future!!!
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