Ex Mufti condemns Egyptian Mufti's support for embattled Mubarak

Harakahdaily
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 4: Outspoken former Perlis mufti Dr Asri Zainal Abidin has
lashed out at Egypt's mufti Ali Jum’ah who urged Egyptians to stop their protest against
Hosni Mubarak.

“Suddenly today, at a time when the people of Egypt go out to peacefully demand their
rights by taking part in road protests, he comes out with a religious opinion about
protesting against Mubarak.

Not only that, he also supports Mubarak’s move to make reforms in seven months,” writes
Asri in his blog, referring to the beleagured president's promise to step down in September
after implementing reforms.

Asri joined a growing chorus of Malaysians who have expressed support for the protesters
in Cairo and other cities, urging for Mubarak's immediate withdrawal.

Asri also warned against any plan to stop the demonstrations before Mubarak confirmed
his departure, as demanded by the millions of protesters who have swarmed Egyptian
streets since January 25.

Why Muslim world declined

Asri said the Mufti's statement only confirmed his hypocrisy, and said it was not
surprising as he was a presidential appointee.

“It is very unfortunate that since his appointment, he has always brought up issues that
had to do with the differences in opinions between Muslims like the differences of the
various schools of thought," said Asri, adding that this was unlike other great Egyptian
scholars such as Dr Yusuf Qaradawi and the late Muhammad al-Ghazali who had for long
opposed Mubarak.

Asri further reminded that despotic and corrupt governments aided by such scholars as the
Egyptian Mufti were the main reason for the decline of the Muslim world.

“The Islamic world has regressed no thanks to the despotic and corrupt governments,
aided also by Muslim scholars who conspire with them,” said Asri.

Asri also hailed Qaradawi for declaring that those who died in the protests were martyrs.

“This is an example of a courageous scholar," said Asri, and called on Muslim scholars
around the world to act righteously.