SHAH ALAM, 27 Jan: The debate on the ‘Allah’ word by two political leaders; the Selangor Umno Chairman, Datuk Seri Noh Omar and the Central PAS Committee Member, Khalid Samad, organised by the Sinar Harian newspaper had to be cancelled due to pressure from various quarters.
The Executive Editorial Advisor of Kumpulan Media Karangkraf, Datuk Abdul Jalil Ali, said that the decision was made after studying the views from non-governmental organisations (NGO), religious leaders and individuals who were concerned about the organisation of the debate.
“We understand current feelings and general sentiments. Therefore, we have taken this decision after considering the advice of religious leaders, several NGOs and those concerned.
“The views and advice voiced by various quarters through the press, social media, email and letters sent to the Sinar Harian office,” he said, as reported on the news portal.
“We understanding the current feelings and sentiments of the public and so, we have decided on this,” he said.
Sinar Harian also apologised to those who were willing to pursue this discourse, but the decision has been made, though with a heavy heart, on the spirit of harmony and unity.
The 26th Series of the Wacana Sinar Programme, entitled “Debating on Arguments of the ‘Allah’ Word From The Perspective Of The law” which was scheduled to take place today at the Kumpulan Media Karangkraf Auditorium Complex in Shah Alam at 2.30pm.
The moderators who were invited to handle the debate was lecturer and legal expert from the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), Assoc Prof Dr Sham Rahayu Abd Aziz.
