United Sabah Islamic Association (Usia) chairman Sairin Karno said there was nothing wrong in celebrating Christmas with friends and family as long as the celebration did not go against Islamic teachings.
He said PAS Youth chief Muhammad Khalil Hadi had ignored the fact that it was common among families in Sabah and Sarawak to have Muslim and Christian members and that it was normal to celebrate all festivities together, wishing each other warm greetings at the same time.
“We are not celebrating Christmas as the Christians do. Rather, we are celebrating it with them as their friends and family, through visits to open houses. What’s wrong with that?
“Even I have relatives who are Christians. In fact, one of them is a Catholic priest while another is a Sidang Injil Borneo (SIB) pastor.
“Don’t be so backward,” he said in response to Khalil’s remarks that Christmas, which celebrates the birth of Jesus, a central figure in Christianity who is also revered by Muslims, was contrary to Islamic teachings.
Khalil, who is the son of PAS strongman Abdul Hadi Awang, said this was because Christians believed Jesus was the son of God and that this amounted to shirk, or associating others to God.
He said while it was allowed to wish a Christian neighbour out of respect, a Muslim should not liberally take part in such greetings, including on social media. “It is as if we are endorsing their religion,” Khalil said.
Sairin said this was not an issue at all in Sabah, adding followers from both faiths know fairly well what the boundaries are.
“I get invited to many Christmas open houses. And actually I don’t even have to ask if the food is halal because my Christian friends will know what to cater. Muslim guests are not served alcohol as well.
“If there is anything wrong with the celebration, we will of course say something… and I’m sure our Christian friends will also react if there’s anything against their religion,” he said.
As such, he said unity between people of various races and religions was the priority when it came to Sabahans.
“We are a tolerant and respectful society. We give priority to preserving harmony among the various communities. Sabah should be an example for others,” Sairin said.
He said this harmony had been demonstrated time and again by many Muslim state figures such as the Sabah governor and chief minister, including previous ones, gracing Christmas open house functions or celebrations in the state for years now.
Khalil’s remarks have drawn brickbats from several people, including Dr Ahmad Farouk Musa, who heads the Islamic Renaissance Front.
“Perhaps it is time for PAS to think whether they should buy an island and proclaim it as an Islamic state and live exclusively with their own kind with the same mentality,” Ahmad told FMT.
By Durie Rainer Fong
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