'Isma chief's sedition charge is Islam's battle' - Malaysiakini

Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (Isma)’s campaign to rally support behind its president Abdullah Zaik Abdul Rahman continues with the release of a lengthy write-up on his journey thus far. 

 

In the biography-style article published on its mouthpiece Ismaweb, the portal paints Abdullah Zaik – or ‘Ustaz Lah’ – not only as a defender of Islam, but also as an international thinker and a leader of his time. 

 

And of all his many achievements thus far, the father of nine’s pivotal battle in upholding Islam is this “selective prosecution” brought on by MCA and DAP, for a statement he made to defend the sovereignty of Islam and Malays in Malaysia. 

 

“This move is none other than an attempt to weaken the struggle to regain the stature of Malays and Islam in Malaysia. Let us all come together to defend this true Muslim-Malay fighter,” it reads. 

 

It said that it is for this reason that May 6, 2014 should be remembered as “the most historical date in the struggle to uphold Islam and Malays in Malaysia”.

 

“A statement was made with clear intention to remind the Chinese of their origins and to defend the sovereignty of Islam and Malays in this country.
 

“The statement was made in response to the insolence of MCA and DAP, who were in cahoots to ridicule the implementation of the hudud in Malaysia. 

 

“Malaysia is clearly a Muslim country, and this is clearly carved out in the Federal Constitution. The insolence was committed on a land where Islam is like a teak tee – tall, strong and remarkable.”

 

Abdullah Zaik, 48, was charged with sedition after saying that the Chinese had entered Malaya as intruders.

 

Achievements thus far

 

Founding Isma in 1997, the biography says, Abdullah Zaik’s feats include leading Isma in obtaining 740,000 signatures to oppose the Coalition of Malaysian NGOs for the Universal Periodic Review process (Comango)’s “efforts to undermine the constitution”.

 

The graduate in syariah studies from Al-Azhar University, Egypt, also played an important role in Himpunan Sejuta Umat (Himpun), which among others was a response against the proselytisation of Muslims, it said. 

 

He also heads Aman Paestin Bhd and sits on the advisory board for Yayasan al-Quds Malaysia and Public Campaign to Protect Palestine (P2CP), advocates of Palestinian rights. 

 

Azbullah Zaik was once chairperson of the Malaysia-Turkey Foundation and founder of the Internatinal Muslim Thinkers Conference. 

 

“Ustaz Lah also understands the importance of building a strong Malay Archipelago (Nusantara) identity, and is putting together a historical colloquium on Malay sovereignty in the archipelago,” it said.

 

At home, Abdullah Zaik was also member of the Standing Committee on Religious Harmony and Understanding and boasts 20,000 members under Isma. 

 

“Today Isma continues to progress as a pressure group to represent Malay Muslims, with the slogan ‘Developing a community with an agenda’,” it said. 

 

Abdullah Zaik’s trial, scheduled to start on Monday has been postponed to Dec 22 pending the constitutional challenge of the Sedition Act by law lecturer Azmi Sharom. 

 

In the lead up to the trial, Isma has been on a social media blitz to rally support for its president, under the campaign – ‘We are all Abdullah Zaik’. 

 

More than 11,000 people have also signed Isma’s petition for charges against Abdullah Zaik to be dropped.