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Free Malaysia Today
17-06-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Technocrats seen as mere ‘accessories' in PAS, says analyst
Ilham Centre's Hisommudin Bakar said PAS's 'DNA' will not change even if a technocrat were to helm the party, as the central leadership is still subject to the Syura Council. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : An analyst expects professionals in PAS to face a tough road to be elected to the party's top leadership, as its structure stresses the importance of clerical leadership as the foundation of its struggle. Ilham Centre executive director Hisommudin Bakar said PAS delegates have also consistently supported candidates who have higher Islamic education and are close to the party's ulama leadership. Hisommudin said the professionals and technocrats in PAS are perceived more as 'accessories' that complement the party, especially in terms of management, strategies and administration. 'They may be able to fill the posts of deputy president, vice-president or members of the central leadership, but not as the party's No 1,' he told FMT. Hisommudin said this does not mean that professionals have no place in PAS's top leadership, but that the trust in them to lead the party still comes with conditions. He said PAS's 'DNA' will not change if a technocrat were to helm the party, as the central leadership is still subject to the Syura Council, its highest decision-making body composed of religious scholars. 'The structure and policies of the party are still controlled by the dominant ulama institution. What might change is the party's approach or management style, but not its fundamental struggles,' he said. On Saturday, PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said professionals could lead the party as long as their decisions are guided by Islamic principles, or 'syarak'. Commenting on calls to retain ulama leadership should PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang step down at the party elections in September, Tuan Ibrahim said ulama leadership has long been a tradition in the party. Hisommudin said the clash between the ulama and technocrat factions in PAS is not a new occurrence, but has become more apparent now that certain professional leaders are growing in prominence. He said pushing technocrats to the fore is not the key to PAS winning non-Malay support, but the current political narrative. 'PAS's history shows that it has been able to obtain the support of the non-Malays despite being led by the ulama faction, for example, when it worked with PKR and DAP under the Pakatan Rakyat coalition during the 2008 and 2013 general elections,' he said. However, Akademi Nusantara's Azmi Hassan said professionals must be given more room and opportunities in the PAS leadership to reflect progressive and modern Islam. He believed that the policies and decisions made by such leaders would then attract non-Muslim voters to support the party.
Free Malaysia Today
04-06-2025
- General
- Free Malaysia Today
No need for Syura Council to vet candidates for top 2 posts, says Hashim
PAS spiritual leader Hashim Jasin said he was among the earliest to support the call for the party's top positions to continue being entrusted to individuals with religious backgrounds. PETALING JAYA : PAS spiritual leader Hashim Jasin has dismissed a call for the party's Syura Council to vet candidates for the president and deputy president's posts. Hashim said that in the current open contest system, those elected typically already have religious backgrounds, reflecting the preferences of PAS members. 'That's why it's not an issue. There's no need for the Syura Council to interfere or set a policy requiring the president and deputy to come strictly from among the ulama or religious scholars,' he told FMT. Hashim said he was among the earliest to support the call for these top positions to continue being entrusted to individuals with religious backgrounds. 'This matter isn't so crucial that the Syura Council needs to vet the candidates to ensure only religious scholars are selected. 'We leave the process as it is because members do not chase after positions in PAS,' he said, noting that there have been no individual candidate campaigns or factional clashes in the run-up to the party's elections in September. Earlier, PAS Dewan Ulama committee member Mokhtar Senik proposed that candidates for the party's top two posts be vetted by the Syura Council, PAS's highest decision-making body. He said this is to ensure that those who intend to challenge the positions currently held by Abdul Hadi Awang and Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man are qualified. Hadi and Tuan Ibrahim are both members of the Syura Council, which is chaired by Hashim. Speculation had emerged that, for the first time, the president and deputy president's posts might be contested at the upcoming party elections. FMT reported that this may happen if Hadi, who has served as president since 2002, steps down, as urged by some members, because of his health. At the same time, there are rumours that Tuan Ibrahim also intends to make way for new leadership, though there have been calls from the pro-ulama faction for him to defend the party's No 2 post. On May 22, PAS vice-president Amar Abdullah had called for the party's top leadership posts, especially those of the president and deputy president, to continue to be held by individuals with religious backgrounds to safeguard the party's Islamic foundation. 'I support that view,' Hashim said, stressing that it is important to ensure the party's policies remain rooted in religion.
Filipino Times
30-03-2025
- Climate
- Filipino Times
PH Muslim leaders declare March 31 as Eid al-Fitr celebration following moon sighting
The National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) has officially announced that the celebration of Eid al-Fitr will take place tomorrow, Monday, March 31, 2025. This declaration follows the successful sighting of the new moon (hilal), which marks the end of Ramadan and the beginning of the Eid al-Fitr holiday. The moon sighting was conducted in coordination with the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), Darul Ifta, various Ulama groups, non-government organizations, and the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA). The moon sighting in Bauang, La Union, was confirmed by PAGASA Weather Specialist Salvador G. Quirimil. Eid al-Fitr, a significant religious holiday for Muslims, is celebrated worldwide to mark the conclusion of Ramadan, a month of fasting, prayer, and reflection. The holiday is a time for Muslims to come together with family and friends for prayers, feasts, and acts of charity, expressing gratitude for the strength and patience exhibited during the month-long fast. In recognition of this important occasion, Malacañang has declared April 1, 2025, as a regular holiday in observance of Eid al-Fitr, allowing Filipino Muslims across the nation to join in the celebrations. In a statement, the NCMF extended its Eid al-Fitr greetings to all Muslim Filipinos, wishing them a blessed and joyous celebration. 'Eid al-Fitr Mubarak to all,' the agency said. The confirmation of the moon sighting and the official announcement of the Eid al-Fitr date follow a tradition observed by Muslim communities in the Philippines and around the world. Local Muslim leaders and scholars have long played a key role in coordinating the moon sighting efforts, ensuring that the timing of the celebration aligns with Islamic teachings.
