Kin of Tan Sri blasts paper over links to Berlin’s ‘liberal’ imam

KUALA LUMPUR, June 22 — Descendants of Awang Osman, one of the country’s first parliamentarians and a former federal minister, today criticised Malay tabloid Kosmo! for linking their family to the controversial opening of a purportedly “liberal” mosques in Berlin, Germany, by American-Malaysian composer Ani Zonneveld.

The Awang Osman Descendants Association (PKAOM) said the report entitled “Anak Perempuan Seorang Tan Sri Jadi Imam Masjid Liberal Ajaran Sesat di Jerman” (Daughter of Tan Sri is Imam of a Deviant Liberal Mosque in Germany) had indirectly associated their family with the mosque by revealing Zonneveld’s lineage.

“PKAOM strongly condemns Kosmo for publishing the front page report… which indirectly associates our family with the activities of this individual overseas,” the group said in a statement.

“Kosmo had associated (our family) with the activities of the individual (Zonneveld) by intentionally publishing a photo and a full biodata of Tan Sri Khalid Awang Osman and Kedah’s first Mentri Besar Sir Shariff Awang Osman.

“PKAOM would like to stress that both these individuals are not in anyway involved with her activities as reported by Kosmo”.

Zonneveld, or Zuraini, is the daughter of Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Awang Osman, a former Umno MP and federal minister.

A self-professed Imam, Zonneveld had led the Ibn-Rushd-Goethe-Mosque’s first prayers before a mixed-gender congregation on June 16. While there is debate about whether Islam permits women to be imams, the religion does not allow men and women to pray openly together.

PKAOM said it does not condone Zonneveld’s actions or support the mosque.

It added that the report linking Zonneveld’s activities to Abdul Khalid’s name had stained the deceased’s contribution to country, race and Islam.

“Kosmo’s report also failed to take into consideration that Abdul Khalid’s kin who are still alive. Kosmo’s report will put unnecessary strain on them,” the group said, adding that the tabloid should have consulted the family members first before running the report.

PKAOM has demanded that Kosmo! retract the report and apologise. The group did not state if it was planning to take legal action.