7 July 2016 / 2 Shawal 1437
We are utterly surprised and extremely dismayed at the suggestion of the former IGP, Musa Hassan, linking the recent spate of Malaysian involvement in terrorist activities with their taking of the Palestinian cause to the extreme (Former IGP tells police to take IS threat seriously. FMT, July 5, 2016 http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2016/07/05/former-igp-tells-police-to-take-is-threat-seriously/
It is a very simplistic notion on the radicalization of Muslims, resident in different parts of the world and sweeping across different social strata. The contributory factors are undoubtedly multi-factorial and to conflate them with legitimate fervor for the just Palestinian cause is very naive and reductionist.
Among other reasons, IS (Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant) has a very savvy and sophisticated online and social media presence which lures their victims towards their grandiose theology of the utopian global caliphate, ruled by Shari’ah law which claims religious, political and military authority over all Muslims worldwide. Once locked in, they are brainwashed into thinking the kafir harbi (non-believers) and the hypocrites among the Muslims can be legitimately killed because of their infidelity and aggression towards the Islamic state.
It cannot be denied that a miniscule number of the Muslim radicals support the Palestinian cause but the majority of pro-Palestinian activists are lay Muslims and non-Muslims who empathize with the legitimate struggle of Palestinians against the unjust and illegal occupation, colonization and subjugation of the Palestinians by Zionist Israel. IS and al-Qaeda et al has been virtually silent on the Palestinian struggle. IS has done absolutely nothing positive for Palestinians on the ground. Instead, their war has been against all infidels and Muslims who do not subscribe to their extremist theology, as the recent terrorist attacks in Malaysia, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia has testified. The Zionist state of Israel has been spared of their theology of hate, vengeance and murder.
The Palestinian cause is grounded on universal human rights and is supported by all peaceful and reasonable people who categorically oppose all forms of racism, including Islamophobia and anti-Semitism. This is in stark contrast to the extremist and hostile theology of IS which has hijacked, abused and infinitely harmed the image of Islam.
The former IGP’s sweeping statements which lacked any substantial evidence is mischievous and irresponsible since by extension it would mean that those who support the Palestinian cause are potentially extremists or worst, terrorist. This surely adds to Israel and her allies attempts to defame Palestinians and Palestinian activists worldwide as terrorists.
We urge him to retract his ill thought statements. Notwithstanding, our activism would continue unabated and we call upon all Malaysians to stand in solidarity with the Palestinian popular resistance until Israel:
1. Ends its occupation and colonization of all Arab lands occupied in June 1967 and dismantles the Apartheid Wall;
2. Recognize the fundamental rights of the Arab-Palestinian citizens of Israel to full equality; and
3. Respect, protect and promote the rights of Palestinian refugees to return to their homes and properties as stipulated in UN Resolution 194.
Dato’ Dr Musa Mohd Nordin
Chairman, Viva Palestina Malaysia (VPM)
Prof Dr Mohd Nazari Ismail
Chairman, Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions, Malaysia (BDS)
Assoc Prof Dr Hafidzi Mohd Noor
Chairman, MyCARE Malaysia
