KUALA LUMPUR – Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Ismail Nasution has agreed with the viewpoint of Viva Palestina founder Dr Musa Nordin, that the denying of the “takbir” or “Allahuakbar” chants during Sunday’s solidarity rally should be treated as a non-issue.
In referring to the recently held solidarity rally for the Palestinians, Saifuddin reiterated that the onus is on the rally’s organiser to ensure that the assembly would be inclusive to all religions.
This, he told the Dewan Rakyat, is because the recent solidarity rally was attended by various participants of various races and religions.
“The root issue (of the rally) is to show solidarity to Palestine and its people, who were recognised by many sympathising countries that it was a sovereign country but no homeland as its land is colonised.
“The pressing issue at hand now is to save Palestinians from the ongoing war, which is what our prime minister is currently doing by meeting Muslim leaders.
“I believe, the issue of denying chants of ‘Allahuakbar’ (takbir) is not the main issue,” he added.
He was answering Wan Ahmad Fahysal Wan Ahmad Kamal (Machang-PN), who raised the question on why chanting “Allahuakbar” and holding up placards condemning Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu were not allowed during the Freedom for Palestine rally held on October 22.
It was previously reported that Musa stood by his order to remove a poster degrading Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and to discourage participants of the Freedom for Palestine rally from chanting “takbir”.
The chairman backed his decision by saying that the posters condemning Netanyahu are considered provocative, and it did not reflect the organisers’ adab (manners) or decorum.
Saifuddin also pointed out to the Machang MP that organisers of any rally and its attendees are free to chant the takbir at any time.
“It is up to the organiser’s discretion (on allowing takbir chants at rallies). Even if you (Wan Ahmad Fahysal) were to organise a solidarity with Palestinian rally, then you are free to chant the takbir as loud as you wish.
“If I have the time, I’ll join your rally and we can both chant ‘Allahuakbar’ together, loudly.”
He further added that the organisers who denied participants of the rally from holding up placards condemning Netanyahu recently is because factually, it did not mirror the government’s stance that is consistent with peace-loving Muslims.
He also said that the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 that was amended in 2019 sees that any rally organisers must only notify the authorities of their events, instead of having to ask for authorities permission to hold assemblies.
“However, looking at the current situation, where many wanted to do assembly in solidarity with Palestine, I believe the authorities will take in the spirit to facilitate these requests rather than to stop it,” he added. – October 24, 2023