KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 28 — PAS Muslimat urged the public to forgive Entrepreneur Noor Neelofa Mohd Noor over her controversial launch of a new ‘tudung’ or headscarf and turban range at the Zouk nightclub on Monday.

“Wearing the hijab is a command by God and is a central part of the Islamic faith and she (Neelofah) has raised awareness on the hijab and modest dressing but unfortunately her actions have opened her to all kinds of criticism,” said Nuridah Mohd Salleh, the Islamist party’s women’s wing chief.

She said that while Neelofa had “good intentions”, choosing the right venue is just as important.

“It is important to practice the tenants of the faith in the right way and to select a place that is often associated with practices that are contrary to the faith was not a wise choice,” she said.

She urged those angered by Neelofah’s actions to forgive her as the 29-year old, well known for her line of clothing and other products, is “still young and had a long way to go”.

“She is a role model for Muslim women everywhere but she is still young and those who feel slighted should recognise that she has apologised for her actions.”

Neelofa, who turned 29 on Monday, celebrated her birthday with the release of her latest Be Lofa range that comprised the “Be Lofa Turban” and the “Be Lofa Shawl” headscarf range.

However, her choice of venue was criticised by Muslims here, including Federal Territories Mufti Datuk Zulkifli Mohamad who reminded the celebrity entrepreneur to follow Islamic tenets and said the “ends do not make the means halal”.

Separately, on the issue of the party possibly withdrawing its previous demand that those leaving it had to divorce their wives, Nuridah said the woman’s wing would support whatever the party’s leadership decided upon.

“The purpose of this pledge or bai’ah is to remind party members of the seriousness of their commitment and responsibility to the party, that to separate from the party is harmful and hurts them personally,” she said.

“Of course the party’s leadership will get input from its grassroots, its women and all members whose views will be made known to the leadership who will decide on whether the policy stays or is withdrawn.”

The “third talaq bai’ah” oath is allegedly a must for Kelantan PAS lawmakers before accepting their posts and requires them to swear to divorce their wives with the “third talaq” the moment they join a new party.

‘Talaq’ or ‘talak’ as it is spelled locally is a type of divorce in Islam which provides the man an avenue to initiate a divorce through simply pronouncing the word.

If the man pronounces a ‘third talaq’, he is then prohibited from getting back with his wife again, unless he takes another woman as his wife and then divorces her afterwards before remarrying the first woman.