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KOTA BHARU - The Pas Ulama Council wants Muslim unity to be made a strategic national agenda, including closer political cooperation among Malay-Muslim parties ahead of the next general election (GE).
Pas Ulama Council representative Zulkarnain Hassan said Muslim unity was crucial to strengthening the community, ensuring political stability, fostering social harmony and safeguarding the country's wellbeing.
He said political divisions and partisan competition could weaken Muslim unity and the community's ability to determine its own direction.
"The unity of the ummah must become a strategic agenda that takes priority over party interests and electoral considerations, based on Islamic principles, mutual understanding and the interests of the ummah and the nation," he said when tabling the motion on Muslim unity at the 72nd Pas Muktamar at Pusat Tarbiah Islam Kelantan (Putik) in Pengkalan Chepa, here, today.
Zulkarnain said the unity agenda should be based on Islam while upholding the position of Islam, the Malay Rulers, Malay and Bumiputera rights and the Malay language as provided for under the Federal Constitution, while ensuring justice and the legitimate rights of all citizens.
He said the agenda should also strengthen Malay-Muslim political power in a mature, strong and credible manner to establish a stable and integrity-driven government capable of addressing economic issues, the rising cost of living, corruption, education and the welfare of the people.
"Pas should expand dialogue and cooperation with Malay-Muslim political parties, ulama, non-governmental organisations, professionals, academics, the younger generation and other parties that share common ground on matters concerning Islam, the ummah and the country," he said.
Among the proposals put forward by the council is to strengthen strategic political cooperation among Malay-Muslim parties, including developing strategies for the next general election to reduce fragmentation of the Malay-Muslim vote.
However, Zulkarnain stressed that any such cooperation would remain subject to decisions by the party leadership.
The council also proposed the establishment or strengthening of a specific mechanism to coordinate dialogue, strategic studies and network-building on Muslim unity.
Zulkarnain said the unity agenda should extend beyond politics to areas including the economy, education, social development, dakwah, media, professional development and the younger generation.
He said all forms of cooperation must take into account the principles of priorities, balance and the interests of the ummah without compromising the principles of Pas' Islamic struggle.
"The Pas Ulama Council should continue to provide guidance on Islamic law and political principles in determining the principles and limits of cooperation," he said.
Zulkarnain also stressed that Pas was not merely a political party, but also a movement centred on dakwah and tarbiah.
He also reminded delegates of the need to engage with everyone, regardless of whether they were Muslims or non-Muslims, as part of efforts to advance the broader unity agenda.
Zulkarnain also cited Surah Al-Imran, verse 103, which calls on Muslims to "hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not be divided", as the basis for the council's call for greater unity.
He said the approach was also consistent with the advice of Islamic scholar Al-Allamah Rashid Rida to help one another in matters on which there was agreement and show understanding towards one another in areas of difference.
