Those who wanted such a ban had made Islam look “ugly”, he added in referring to Jaringan Muslimin Pulau Pinang, which held a protest against Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng last week, saying he should not attend buka puasa events unless he converted to Islam first.
Saifuddin, who is the strategic adviser to Lim, said the group’s call went against the teachings of Islam as the religion welcomed all to break fast together regardless of their faith.
“Islamic teachings are simple, but it is easily confused by its followers who are too obsessed with a particular matter.
“Islam has the tenets of wajib (compulsory), sunat (pious deed), haram (forbidden), makruf (good deed) and harus (permitted by the religion). Fasting is wajib for Muslims.
“Non-Muslims like the CM do not need to fast while it is wajib for Muslims. Breaking of fast with our brethren who are non-Muslims is harus, regardless if you fast or not.
“The actions by this group gives an ugly face to the understanding of Islam, as per the teachings of the Holy Quran and the Prophet,” Saifuddin said at a press conference in Komtar today.
Former Perak menteri besar Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin, who was also present, said it was surprising the protesters had nothing to say when PAS members broke fast with Lim at a mosque in Penanti before the last election.
“I remember six years ago during the Penanti by-election, Lim attended a buka puasa event with the PAS ulama. Funny how they did not think it was haram then.
“World leaders also break fast with others. Look at former US president Barack Obama, Singapore PM and others who opened their doors to hold breaking of fast events during Ramadan.
“I would like to congratulate the chief minister as it is a good way to assimilate the people of Penang as one by attending buka puasa events,” he said.
Nizar, who is also Amanah’s Changkat Jering assemblyman, is on a visit to Penang and called on Lim earlier.
Last week, Jaringan chairman Mohd Hafiz Noordin accused Lim and his state executive council of interfering in the issuance of fatwas (religious decrees for Muslims), and told Lim not to join buka puasa gatherings during Ramadan.
Hafiz said that if the DAP secretary-general wanted to break fast with Muslims during Ramadan, he should convert to Islam first.
“We do not want a kafir (non-believer) from DAP to lead the state. We want Guan Eng not to attend buka puasa functions.
“You don’t need to buka puasa because you are anti-Islam. If you want to buka puasa, then please masuk Islam (covert),” he said when addressing some 50 protesters outside the Simpang Enam mosque at Macalister Road after Friday prayers last week.