In an open letter titled, ‘Tun M, bukankah segala yang patuh syariah itu indah?’ (Tun M, isn’t all that is syariah-compliant beautiful?), the Dakwah youth chief refuted Dr Mahathir’s accusation that the owners were profiting in the name of Islam.
“The question here is, has there been a Syariah-compliant airline before this? Although Rayani Air owners are non-Muslims, their adoption of Islamic practices is commendable,” Hafez said.
Hafez also debunked Mahathir’s claim that the airline was parading its piety. “The issue is not about showing off that we are more pious than others, but about how to adopt the Islamic system and prove that Islam is the solution to all problems in the world.”
He added that Rayani Air’s policy will certainly bode well for the fledgling airline. “(Its)…policy of its female cabin crew covering their ‘aurat’, the prohibition of alcohol and serving of halal food, as well as recitation of prayers, will surely bring blessings to the flight,” contended Hafez.
He then urged Mahathir to view the matter positively, citing the merits of covering one’s aurat, refraining from consuming alcohol and praying according to Islam. “Alcohol is the mother of vice, aurat is the honour of all Muslim women, whilst prayer is a bond of servitude to Allah.”
Hafez concluded by saying that the issue of showing off piety and profiting in the name of religion would not have surface if the government’s Malaysian Syariah Index model, launched last year, was adopted by all industries.
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