SHAH ALAM, 21 Dec: The move by the International Police (Interpol) to issue an arrest warrant against Islamic scholar Dr Yusuf Al-Qaradawi is unjust and in favour of the Al-Sisi Egyptian coup regime.
The PAS Information Chief, Datuk Mahfuz Omar, said that the Egyptian government revengefully asked Interpol to act this way.
The move will only strengthen Islamophobia among non-Muslims and there have been claims that there is a Western conspiracy to discredit Islam.
“We are also disappointed by the attitude of the Malaysian government which is still keeping silent on this issue when Syeikh Yusuf is not an unfamiliar figure in Malaysia,” said Mahfuz in a media statement.
In fact, the Malaysian government had awarded him as the Maal Hijrah Leader in 2009.
“Wisma Putra should be proactive in this matter to defend the great figures who have become victims of prosecution.
“Isn’t the government itself often boasting that Malaysia is influential and respected internationally. So it would not be a loss for us to make a stand on this issue?” he said.
The red notice against Yusuf, 88, was issued after being wanted by the Egyptian judicial authorities for prosecution and conviction of sentence.
The move is seen as being able to trigger mass dissatisfaction in almost all the Islamic world.
NS