Inventing new religious rituals

Inventing new religious rituals NO HOLDS BARRED Raja Petra Kamarudin 17 August 2008 - Malaysia Today So, finally, Saiful has sworn on the Quran that Anwar buggered him, against his will. I suppose any 61-year old man with a bad back who can force himself on a 23-year old man who is bigger and stronger than him should be strong enough to become the Prime Minister of Malaysia. This demonstrates how strong Anwar is, physically, and that he is certainly nowhere near over-the-hill. Mentally, of course, no one has any doubts that Anwar can out-think the sharpest cookies. They will literally foam at the mouth in any live debate with the incoming Member of Parliament of Permatang Pauh. Nevertheless, how valid is this swearing on the Quran, which Saiful conducted in the Federal Territory Mosque? Does such a thing exist in Islam? Apparently not, according to Perlis Mufti Dr. Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin, PAS President Abdul Hadi Awang, PAS Spiritual Leader Nik Aziz Nik Mat, PAS Deputy Spiritual Leader Dr Haron Din, and the host of other Islamic scholars regarded as authorities on Islam by most Malays. Anyway, even before Saiful pulled off his little circus stunt, and even before these scholars commented on the spectacle, I had already said that there is no such thing in Islam and is the act of deviant Muslims. ... The government and Umno do all those very things that Islam is against. Islam makes it mandatory for Muslims to oppose the transgressors of God’s commands. Muslims who do not oppose it are considered very weak Muslims who are accessories to these crimes. There are no two ways about it. Muslims who keep silent are endorsing these crimes. Islam is very clear about this matter. Nothing any Arab who pretends to be a descendant of the Prophet can say will change this. Oh, and one more thing, Saiful also swore that this swearing ceremony, one day before the Permatang Pauh Nomination Day, is a coincidence as he did not know that Anwar was going to contest the by-election. Hmm…..is Saiful prepared to also swear this on the Quran? Earlier he had wished Anwar good luck in the Permatang Pauh by-election. Talk about making a mockery of Islam. Have I not always said that the Muslims are Islam’s greatest enemy? You still want to dispute this or can I now rest my case? ...more http://malaysia-today.net/2008/content/view/11508/84/