JOHOR BAHRU, 19 March 2025 – The Vice-Chairman of DAP Johor, Sheikh Umar Bahgarib Ali, has called for an end to baseless accusations of apostasy and infidelity hurled at his colleagues, Syahredzan Johan and Young Syefura Othman (Rara), following their election as members of the DAP Central Executive Committee (CEC). The announcement of their appointments, made late in the evening on 16 March, has sparked a wave of wild criticism, particularly on social media, with some labeling the duo as “kafir” (infidels) and “murtad” (apostates).
Sheikh Umar highlighted several inflammatory comments, including one anonymous post that read: “These two Malays have strayed from Islam… they’ve become apostates and infidels for supporting a kafir as their leader.” Another user, identified as ‘Park Damm’, wrote: “This one… I feel when she dies, who will shroud her body? I’m not just talking about religion… but seeing how she’s left the faith… I hope both repent before they die.”
Recalling his own experience, Sheikh Umar noted that similar accusations were leveled against him when he joined DAP about a decade ago. “I thought such slander had stopped, but apparently it hasn’t,” he said.
He firmly stressed that joining DAP has no bearing on an individual’s Islamic faith. “DAP is a political platform, a vehicle for political engagement. It is a legally registered party under the Registrar of Societies (ROS) and operates within the bounds of the law,” he asserted. “DAP is not a religion. Joining DAP does not mean abandoning Islam for another faith.”
Sheikh Umar suggested that those making such accusations fall into one of two categories: “Either they are ignorant, or they harbor extremist views.” He condemned the practice of takfir—declaring a Muslim as an infidel—as a dangerous ideology reminiscent of the Khawarij, a historical group known for justifying the killing of Muslims who disagreed with them, leading to division and bloodshed within the Islamic community.
Quoting a saying of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) from Sahih Bukhari, he warned: “If a person says to his brother, ‘O kafir!’, the accusation will fall on one of them. If the accused is truly an infidel, the claim holds. If not, it rebounds on the accuser.”
Sheikh Umar also reaffirmed DAP’s commitment to the Federal Constitution, emphasizing that the party recognizes Islam as the official religion of the Federation, as enshrined in Article 3(1). “I urge everyone to stop labeling Muslims who join DAP as ‘kafir’ or ‘murtad’,” he concluded.
The statement comes amid ongoing debates about the role of Malay-Muslims in DAP, a multi-racial party that has faced scrutiny over its inclusivity and adherence to Malaysia’s constitutional framework.
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