Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe by Email I’m not sure what to make of this article. Does it mean that if anyone condemns the protesters, it will be “anti-jihad”? I hope these people’s action don’t provide more ammunition for others to ridicule their religion.
To help provide legal service, counseling or payment for the protesters is acceptable – its their right to defend themselves in court of law. But to stick a religious label on that actions takes it to a different level. Now, if the public says anything, these people may claim that those who complaint are against their religion pulak!
Malay non-governmental organisation Perkasa wants to provide legal counsel to the 12 “cow head protestors” who were charged with sedition and illegal assembly at the Shah Alam Sessions and Magistrates courts on Wednesday.
Its president Datuk Ibrahim Ali said several lawyer members of the movement were willing to take up the case as a “jihad,” or any war undertaken in the name of Islam against unbelievers or backsliders.
“We will also go on a donation drive to help them financially to pay for unforeseen expenses that they might incur during the trial proper.
“We are not doing this as a publicity stunt or political mileage but for the sake of the Ummah (the community of believers) and to defend Allah’s religion,” he said in a press statement issued here on Wednesday.
Ibrahim, who is also the independent Member of Parliament for Pasir Mas, criticised those in power, accusing them of being cowards for not protecting the religion.
However, many Muslim and political leaders have condemned the incident (see below), saying such hatred and disrespect had no place in the religion.
On Aug 28, some 50 people, led by residents of Section 23 in Shah Alam, marched about 300m from the state mosque to the gates of the Selangor state secretariat building to protest against the relocation of the Sri Mahamariamman temple from Section 19 to Section 21.
They dragged along a decapitated cow’s head then proceeded to stamp and spit on it.
They also warned of further action if the temple was built in their area, with one protest leader promising bloodshed.
