KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 7 — PAS lawmaker Khalid Samad today insisted that Muslims have no right to impose their religious restrictions on food and drink on non-Muslims, despite the flurry of criticism by party colleagues and religious conservatives over his defense of the month-long Oktoberfest beer festival in the country.
The Shah Alam MP said Muslims would be mistaken if they argue against the widespread advertising and promotion of the annual festival on grounds of Islamic supremacy in Malaysia, as the Islamic syariat, or code, clearly allows non-Muslims the freedom to practice their own norms.
"This freedom that is guaranteed by the Islamic code for non-Muslims living under its administration is proof of the truth and glory of Islam.It is also proof that Islam can rule a plural country," he said in a post on his blog, khalidsamad.com.
The vocal politician was recently slammed by party colleagues and religious groups over his stance in favour of Oktoberfest, with critics arguing that religious authorities are duty bound to shut down the event and that non-Muslims' right to their own festivals must be tempered with the fact that Malaysia is an "Islamic" country.
Khalid today, however, shot down their complaints, saying that "Islamic supremacy" or the fact that Islam is the religion of the federation are not reasons for Muslims to deviate from the Islamic code to the point that they forget about the rights of non-Muslims.
He stressed that "sensitivities" can be managed while maintaining the rights of non-Muslims, by imposing conditions such as prohibiting Muslims from participating in such events or holding these events at non-Muslim majority areas.
"It is not an excuse to oppress the non-Muslims to the point that they are forced to follow the demands of Muslims. That would be the chauvinistic Islam that is being championed by Isma," he said, taking aim at the right-wing Islamist NGO known as Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia, one of his staunchest critics.
Khalid went on to lambast Isma in a follow-up blog post, noting that Muslims should not worry themselves over the difference between an "alcohol festival" and "drinking alcohol".
"I'm sorry, will they not drink alcohol at an alcohol festival? Are they bathing in alcohol? Even if they are bathing in alcohol, is there a problem?
"It is only a problem if they ask Muslims to also drink and bathe in alcohol. But if they are doing it among themselves to introduce new brands and products among themselves, what is the problem for Muslims?
"That is the real purpose of Oktoberfest. Marketing, promotion. Not to have a drunken festival and lose control. If that were the purpose, what company would want to organise and finish their money?" he said.
