Umno claims to be the largest Islamic party in the world. Soon, about 100 ulama, the ex-Perlis Mufti included, are expected to join Umno, which will make the party more Islamic than PAS. Below is The Star report on the matter.
(The Star) - Speculation is rife that former Perlis Mufti Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin will be among 100 highly-educated ulama to join Umno soon.
It was reported in the Umno website that the controversial mufti would join the Dataran Merdeka Umno branch on Friday.
Umno sources said the ulama were keen to make their debut in politics, and they were believed to have expressed a preference to join Umno.
The sources denied that Umno was trying to create an ulama faction in the party to compete with PAS’ ulama wing.
“We do not practice such segregation in the party. Anyway, this has nothing to do with PAS. We are not pinching any ulama from PAS,” the sources said.
If the mass entry of ulama takes place, it would boost Umno’s image as a party acceptable to all, including professionals and ulamas, they added.
Former Perlis Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim was quoted in the Umno website as saying that PAS leaders would have sleepless nights if such a large number of ulama joined Umno.
In the report, Shahidan said he had long-time ulama friends, but he had never succeeded in enticing them to join Umno.
Dr Asri, in his blog, said he had not made a decision about joining any political party.
“I hope people will not make assumptions based on statements by individuals on this issue,’’ he wrote in his blog.
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