SHAH ALAM, 11 Aug: The President of the International Union of Muslim Scholars, Sheikh Dr Yusuf Al Qaradhawi, urged and appealed to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Abdul Halim Muazzam Shah, and the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak, to pardon the former Opposition Leader, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The call was made to end the tyrannical elements in this case which tarnished the image and reputation of Malaysia and its leaders.
“He was punished with imprisonment repeatedly. Were it not for my doubts on the charges, I would certainly not write regarding this subject.
“I can remain silent and let him stay in prison. But my loyalty to him as a friend, as well as my confidence about his stance of being good and having good intentions toward the people and the Malaysian government, has kept me from remaining silent with regards to the unfairness in the action against him,” he said via qardawi.net.
Dr Qardawi admitted that he has known Anwar since he led the Malaysian Islamic Youth Movement (ABIM) before becoming a leader of the government and UMNO.
According to him, the Malaysian government should not mistreat the opposition as practiced in third-class countries because they are part of an important entity in a democratic society.
“The opposition is the security for the country’s unity and stability.
“They are the power of balance and an obstacle for youth trapped in destructive thoughts and trends of extremism,” he said.
NS
