Suhail Pervezi
 

 

Anwar Bin Ibrahim Deputy Prime Minister  
   

Anwar Ibrahim is the A Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia. In the seventies, he was the founder and leader of the Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia or ABIM (Malaysian Islamic Youth Movement). This was a fiery Islamic opposition group made up of young and modern would be ulemas who saw, and still see, a strongly ulema flavour to all things Malaysian.

However in the mid eighties, the astute Dr. Mahathir Mohamad convinced Anwar Ibrahim to leave ABIM and join UMNO-the Malay dominated ruling party in Malaysia. Some say that this was a pre-emptive strike by Dr. Mahathir to prevent Anwar Ibrahim from joining the ulema led Parti Islam or PAS.

To some ABIM members, it appeared like a sellout by Anwar to UMNO's offer of political power and position. But without a credible leader these ABIM members quickly consoled themselves to the idea that with their man inside, they would be able to change UMNO.

Although they put themselves forward as an "Islamic" movement ABIM does not uphold the teachings of the Messenger as in the Quran.

They place restrictions, not found in the Quran, on women and as a result there are only a few women members of ABIM. They follow the Old and New Testaments when they force women to cover their heads and when they prescribe things like stoning to death.

Having inherited Judeo-Christian traditions and fabrications, which they somehow feel, obliged to call "Islam".

They say normal banking practice is haram when God and the Messenger never authorised them to do so and promote so called "Islamic" financial systems that cannot work. Then they copy conventional financial systems, change its name and call it "Islamic".

Allah and His Messenger have warned them already, "Who is more evil that one who fabricates lies and attributes them to God, or rejects the Truth when it comes to him? Is hell not just retribution for the disbelievers? Surah 29:68 and 39:32.

Anwar Ibrahim's influence on his supporters lies in his eloquence and charisma - both of which he has in abundance.

Like most other people in the Third World, the Malays are still mesmerized by rhetoric and oratory that is why street hawkers selling "magic lizard oil" are able to attract large crowds with their claims. Anwar Ibrahim is only too knowledgeable and he remains a master orator.

The ability to speak Arabic or use it comfortably is important if you are trying to establish "Islamic" credentials in Malaysia and in his earlier days, when he was an "Islamic" youth leader, Anwar Ibrahim's speeches also had Arabic phrases in them although he does not speak Arabic. He also frequently makes references to books and authors in his speeches. In a country where most Muslims may not even be able to read this easily creates the impression that one is a learned.

Now since he is in government, there is less need for Arabic. But his speeches are always loud, high pitched and rhetorical. Anwar Ibrahim should follow the advice of the Prophet Luqman. In Surah 31: 17-19, Luqman advises his son in the most endearing and affectionate terms.

"O my son ("ya bunaiya") observe the salat, advocate righteousness and forbid evil, and be patient in adversity. This is the real strength. You shall not treat the people with arrogance, nor shall you roam the earth proudly. God does not like the arrogant show off. Walk humbly and lower your voice. The ugliest voice is that of the donkey" Surah 31:17-19.

There is no example where God's messenger used fancy language to sway people. In fact Allah and his Messenger have condemned people who use such tactics. "Among the people, one may impress you with his rhetoric concerning this life, and may even call upon God to witness his intentions, while actually they are enemies" Surah 2:204. It is not the Islamic way to bowl people over with oratory rhetoric. What is important is hard work, good ideas and good examples.

In a publicity stunt, ABIM sponsored Afghan mujahideen to visit mosques all over Malaysia to raise money for their Jihad (this was after the Russians had already left Afghanistan). Now the mujahideen are all killing each other and causing more destruction than the Russians ever did. Most of Kabul is totally destroyed while what's left is severely damaged.

The Prophet said, "No believer kills another believer except by accident..."(Surah 4:92)
`Anyone who kills a believer on purpose, his retribution is hell, in which is abides forever... " (Surah 4:93).

Either a lot of accidents happen in Afghanistan or there are very few believers there. Despite all the mujahideen claiming to be "Islamic" it will be difficult even for ABIM to identify which "Islamic" is really "Islamic".

To keep up the Islamic credentials, he has expanded "Islamic" banking in Malaysia. However increasing criticism by consumers as well as academics is beginning to expose "Islamic" banking for what it really is, a disguised version of conventional banking. However the same people who think Anwar Ibrahim can really speak Arabic are convinced that "Islamic" banking is also real and they make up a substantial constituency.

Anwar also embarked on a project to build a new campus for the Islamic University, an acknowledged cradle for Anwar and ABIM sycophants, but recent news reports highlight the fact that a6ter almost ten years the new university is still suffering delays and remains uncompleted. To show solidarity with the `Islamic' world the Islamic University enrolled students from Bosnia and Afghanistan. However the fact that Bosnian girls dress as they please when they are off campus has created friction with Malaysian students who have been
brainwashed into believing that women must have their heads covered even when they go to bed at night. The recent police arrest of Afghan student for molesting a woman on campus has made matters worse.

'Besides his understandable desire for power, Anwar Ibrahim does possess a genuine urge to help his people and is easily identified with the common man. This is perhaps Anwar Ibrahim's saving grace.

However, to date his "Islamic" advisors have not coughed up anything that posterity will record with distinction. A Malay anecdote tells of a monkey who rescues a fish from some danger by taking the fish out of the water. More often that not, this is the type of advise which Anwar Ibrahim has been receiving. Perhaps his "Islamic" baggage is an impediment that is an overhang from Anwar Ibrahim's past. To steady a ship in stormy weather, it may be advisable to throw this excess baggage overboard.

In Surah Saad (Surah 38) Allah tells us about the kingship he granted to David and Solomon. Allah revealed the Psalms (Zabur) to David. David was a resourceful king. He understood the animal kingdom, subdued mountains, worked with iron and judged among the people. The secret of David's kingship is revealed to us. "We strengthened his kingship and endowed him with wisdom and good logic" 38:20. Wisdom and logic are therefore paramount, not endless rhetoric.

"O David, we have made you a ruler on the earth. Therefore you shall judge among the people equitably and do not follow your personal opinion, lest it divert you from the way of God. Surely those who stray off the way of God incur severe retribution for not believing in the Day of Reckoning" Surah 38:26.

A ruler cannot follow personal opinions to judge among people. This will divert him from the right path. One can only judge according to what Allah has sent down.

"This is a scripture that we sent down to you, that is sacred -perhaps they reflect on its verses. Those who possess intelligence will take heed': Surah 38:29.

David and Solomon took heed of the verses that were revealed to them. Those who would be king should also heed the verses of Quran.