Malaysiakini.com （http://www.malaysiakini.com）
Most unIslamic to inconvenience non-Muslims, 7 August 2009
by ProArte
I'm intrigued by the notion of a 'Muslim area'. Surely there should be no 'No Go' areas in Malaysia. There is freedom of movement in Malaysia.
With regard to this emotive issue dredged up by Hassan Ali in Selangor, his proposal does not make any sense because it infringes on the rights of non-Muslims and dare I say Muslims as well.
There are Muslims who believe that alcohol in small quantities does not conflict with their faith and can cite medical literature to prove the health benefits of alcohol in small quantities.
Are we going to be a progressive nation based on knowledge or be mentally shackled by atavistic notions of morality?
Indeed, the Quran tells us that the rivers of heaven are flowing with the most delectable wines. Clearly alcohol per se is not evil but it is the abuse of it which is the problem.
Muhammed married his youngest wife Ayesha when she was very young. There were different concepts of the rights of women then, compared to modern times.
The point I'm trying to make is that talking about the banning of alcohol in 'Muslim' areas is too simplistic even though the aim is to appear to be following Islamic values.
Islamic values have changed throughout the ages and the Muhammed example is a case in point.
There is no denying that alcohol is open to abuse and which is why there should be regulations with regard to its sale like in the West.
Out of respect for Muslims who may not wish to indulge, it should be clearly labelled 'non-Halal' or sold in a 'non-Halal' section.
Those suspected to be under 18 should be obliged to show ID to prove they are not minors otherwise they will be prohibited from buying alcohol.
CCTV should be installed to ensure that checkout staff are not abetting the sale of alcohol to minors.
The issue is one of proper regulations and the respect for the rule of law. The question is why are Muslim staff selling alcohol to minors and to other Muslims with impunity so as to cause this apparent problem which so exercises Hassan Ali?
If he is to be believed, it would appear there is an epidemic of alcoholism in Shah Alam amongst Muslims, who of all people, should know to abstain from the abuse of alcohol!
Why then should non-Muslims be inconvenienced because of Muslim lack of self control or religiosity? Surely this is most unIslamic.
Anyway, this whole issue I believe is a 'Sandiwara' as we know alcohol abuse is not a big problem amongst Muslim youth. The real issue is drug addiction and I wonder why Hassan Ali does not focus on this.
Another important 'Muslim issue' is unemployment and lack of good education. Hassan Ali should focus on these more pressing issues as well.
It is unIslamic to deny non-Muslims their right of access to alcohol in their vicinity. What next Hassan Ali? No alcohol should be consumed in public in Muslim majority areas?
Nobody can walk with a can of beer in a park in Shah Alam or have a picnic in an open space in Shah Alam and drink beer? Are we seeing the Talibanisation of Selangor?
Pakatan must uphold the promises which it made to the Rakyat during the last elections - that the right of every Malaysian regardless of race or creed shall be held sacrosanct.
Ronnie Liu must be licking his wounds and quite justifiably feeling sorry for himself. He was foremost in advocating greater links with PAS, when DAP always had reservations about PAS, particularly when it reneged on the BA manifesto after the 1999 election.
He felt PAS should be given the benefit of the doubt and went on to strongly support PAS despite their intermittent headline grabbing antics. There comes a time however, when we all have to say Enough is Enough!
And now I believe is such a time. I really think it would be foolhardy of DAP to go and campaign for the PAS candidate in Permatang Pasir when Hassan Ali of PAS is openly attacking a prominent DAP leader.
It goes without saying that this manufactured controversy has been a vital boost for Umno's morale particularly in the upcoming by-election.
It is well known that Hassan Ali was a key player in the discussions between Khir Toyo, the former MB of Selangor and PAS Selangor with the aim of keeping BN in power in Selangor soon after the March 08 elections.
The suggestion then that Hassan Ali has divided loyalties is an understatement.
Only a few days ago Anwar Ibrahim promised us that Pakatan would respect freedom of worship and freedom of conscience.
Anwar Ibrahim talked about Pakatan's commitment to freedom of worship and freedom of conscience during the recent 'Najib's 100 Days' forum.
How can a Muslim exercise 'freedom of conscience' if Hassan Ali's ban of alcohol in 'Muslim areas' comes into effect?
If the blanket ban of alcohol takes place in Shah Alam, then this would be a betrayal of that promise.
Will Pakatan uphold its promises to the Rakyat? This remains to be seen.
(End)
