KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 29 ― PAS splinter group Harapan Baru (HB) said it will continue its struggle for a universal and inclusive Islam, even after the Registrar of Society (RoS) rejected its application to register a party with the word “Islam” in its name.
HB secretary Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the group wanted the new party to be known as “Progressive Islamic Party” so nobody can accuse it of being afraid to carry the name of the religion.
“It is important that the Islam that we fight for is no more a phobia among the non-Muslims. Meanwhile, the Muslims are comfortable with an inclusive Islam that presents fairness and wellbeing for all races, religions and cultures in this country.
“At once, Islam is no longer monopolised by any party,” Dzulkefly said in a statement.
Despite that, Dzulkefly said an announcement on the party scheduled for August 31 will still go on, ahead of its launch on September 16.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said yesterday RoS’ decision was because Islam belonged to all Muslims and the use of its name for political parties could only cause confusion.
Speaking in Marang, the home minister said he did not want the mistake of the past to be repeated by allowing another political party to use Islam, claiming it had caused confusion among Muslims in the country.
