Syiah sama seperti muslim lainnya yang juga membaca Al-Quran dan menghadap kiblat ke Makkah ketika shalat. Akan tetapi Syiah di Malaysia dianggap sesat di negara ini. Demikian Kantor Berita AFP, Selasa (8/2) melaporkan.

Puncak pelecehan terhadap Syiah di Malaysia terjadi pada bulan Desember. Saat itu, Jabatan Agama Islam Selangor (JAIS) menyerang pusat kegiatan Syiah di Gombak, Kuala Lumpur yang kemudian berujung pada penangkapan 200 pengikut Syiah. Yang lebih tragis lagi, penyerangan itu terjadi saat komunitas pengikut Ahlul Bait memperingati haul kesyahidan cucu kesayangan Rasulullah Saw, Imam Husein as yang gugur di Karbala pada tahun 61 hijriah. Mantan Kepala JAIS, Mohammed Khusrin Munawi yang juga pemimpin penyerangan ke Hauzah Al-Ridho, pusat aktivitas pengikut Ahlul Bait di Kuala Lumpur, sebagaimana dikutip AFP, mengatakan, "Keyakinan ini akan merusak keamanan bila dibiarkan tumbuh, dan kemudian para pengikut fanatik sekte ini akan menganggap muslim lainnya sebagai kafir."

"Bagi mereka, darah para pengikut keyakinan lain adalah halal. Dengan demikian, mereka dibenarkan membunuh Sunni," kata Khusrin kepada Koran Utusan Malaysia yang dikutip AFP kemarin (Selasa, 8/2).

Lebih lanjut Khusrin menuding ajaran Ahlul Bait sebagai doktrin yang lebih berbahaya dari ajaran-ajaran menyimpang lainnya. Dikatakannya, Syiah di Iran dan India berjuang melawan muslim lainnya hanya karena keyakinan yang berbeda.

Sementara itu, Kepala Dewan Antaragama di Malaysia, Pendeta Thomas Philips, kepada AFP melaporkan, "Setiap orang di negara ini harus memiliki kebebasan beribadah." Pengikut ajaran Ahlul Bait as diperkirakan berjumlah 40.000 warga di Malaysia. Presiden The International Movement for a Just World (JUST), Chandra Muzaffar sebagaimana dikutip AFP, mengatakan, para pejabat agama Malaysia menyalahgunakan wewenang mereka. Dikatakannya, "Syiah tidak sesat. Jika dikatakan sesat, kita sama halnya menyebut 15 persen muslim di dunia sebagai ajaran yang menyimpang."

Kamil Zuhairi Abdul Aziz yang juga termasuk salah satu tokoh Syiah terkemuka di Malaysia mengatakan, "Kami adalah muslim sama seperti muslim lainnya di negeri ini. Akan tetapi, kami hidup dalam ketakutan karena kami selalu diintimidasi dan ditahan oleh pemerintah." Ditambahkannya, "Syiah tiba di Malaysia pada abad ke-14. Untuk itu, Syiah bukanlah ajaran baru di negara ini."

Menurut rencana, Kamil Zuhairi dan pengacaranya, Muhammad Burok, dalam waktu dekat ini, dipanggil Mahkamah Syariah Shah Alam untuk menandatangani perjanjian. Dalam perjanjian itu, Kumail Zuhairi akan menunjuk pengacara secara resmi untuk kasus Syiah di Malaysia. Menurut Kamil Zuhairi, langkah semacam ini sengaja dilakukan dalam rangka melindungi pengikut Ahlul Bait as di Malaysia. Dengan cara ini, ajaran Ahlul Bait as secara perlahan akan dikenal secara luas yang kemudian akan dipahami sebagai agama kasih sayang, bukan ajaran sesat yang selama ini diklaim sejumlah pihak.

Dilaporkan pula, Komisi Hak Asasi Manusia Malaysia (Suhakam) menghubungi Kamil Zuhairi untuk melakukan pertemuan dengan Professor Mahmood Zuhdi. Menurut rencana, pertemuan itu akan berlangsung pada tanggal 14 Februari. Sebelumnya, Datuk Mahmood dalam wawancaranya mengatakan, "Kalau (baca; Andai) Syiah dibenarkan berkembang di negara ini, baiknya tidak ada." Dikatakannya pula, "Bila Syiah dibenarkan, ini akan menimbulkan perpecahan." Pernyataan itu disampaikan Prof Mahmood saat banyak masyarakat Tionghua, India, Dayak dan Iban di Malaysia dengan menganut berbagai ajaran. Apakah fenomena ini menimbulkan perpecahan di negara ini?!" (IRIB/AR/NA/9/2/2011)


Mohsen Namjoo, penyanyi kontroversial asal Iran, menggelar konser di Kuala Lumpur. Faisal Tehrani, budayawan asal Malaysia, menyatakan bahwa konser penyanyi harus digagalkan. Menurut rencana, Namjoo akan tampil di Kuala Lumpur pada tanggal 18 Februari 2011 di KLCC Convention Centre.

Namjoo adalah penyanyi yang menghina Al-Quran dalam lagu-lagunya. Pemerintah Iran juga menjatuhkan hukuman padanya, bahkan penyanyi ini menjadi buronan negara ini. Pengadilan Iran menjatuhkan hukuman penjara lima tahun atas penyanyi ini.

Sebelumnya, Namjoo menyatakan minta maaf atas tidakannya. Akan tetapi penyanyi kontroversial kemudian mencabut penyataan maafnya dan mengulangi kembali tindakannya ini. Selain itu, Namjo juga mendendangkan lagu-lagu cabul, lucah, erotik dan tidak sopan.

Feisal Tehrani kepada wartawan IRIB mengatakan, "Sangat disesalkan, tidak ada media-media lokal yang menentang konser penyanyi Iran yang terang-terangan menghina Al-Quran dan mendendangkan lagu tak sopan. Media-media Malaysia sudah seharusnya sensitif atas kasus ini." (IRIB/ AR/7/2/2011)

Surat Terbuka Terkait Syiah kepada PM Malaysia Isu Syiah di Malaysia hingga kini masih belum reda. Apalagi setelah penyerangan atas komunitas pengikut Ahlul Bait as di Kuala Lumpur, banyak pejabat dan ulama dari kalangan Sunni yang mengecam tindakan kekerasan itu.

Belum lama ini, SM Muhammed Idris yang juga Presiden Citizens International di Pulau Pinang, Malaysia menulis surat terbuka kepada Perdana Menteri Malaysia terkait Syiah. Berikut ini adalah isu suratnya;

Y.A.B Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Bin Tun Abdul Razak
Prime Minister of Malaysia
Prime Minister's Office
Main Block, Perdana Putra Building
Federal Government Administrative Centre
62502 Putrajaya

Assalamu'alaikum wr wb

Yang Amat Berhormat Datuk Seri,

REF: Breeding Disunity among Muslims

I am deeply concerned about the recent persecution of Shia Muslims by law enforcement officers from certain state Islamic religious affairs departments. Their actions constitute not only serious violations of the human rights of Shias but, more serious, disobedience to Allah s.w.t‘s command to Muslims to remain united. The Qur'an teaches: And hold fast, all together, by the rope which Allah (stretches out for you) and be not divided among your selves... [Surah Al Imran 3:103]

On 15 December 2010, during the commemoration of the martyrdom of Imam Hussain the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, Jabatan Agama Islam Selangor (JAIS) officials raided the ceremony and arrested 200 people including a local scholar and a visiting scholar from Iran. I understand two of them are to be prosecuted in the Shariah court. I cannot imagine how commemoration of the martyrdom at Karbala can constitute a crime.

Muslims all over the world, both Sunnis and Shias, commemorate that historic event, and Imam Hussain's courage and commitment to truth has, ever since his martyrdom, been an inspiration to all those who oppose tyranny, oppression and injustice.

On 17 December 2010, Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, a Sunni Muslim, attended a ceremony in Istanbul organised by the Jafaris to commemorate the tragedy at Karbala. In his speech he said: We have been feeling the pain of Karbala for 1,370 years. We have to feel that pain in our hearts. We remember Imam Hussain whenever an innocent person is killed. JAIS should be organising events to commemorate Imam Hussain's martyrdom instead of persecuting those who do.

I am simply astounded at the lack of understanding and prejudice of JAIS officials regarding Shiah Muslims. They consider Shias as deviationists and, according to a news report, JAIS is planning to establish a detention camp for rehabilitating deviationists including Shias. Mohamed Rais Rasid told Malaysiakini that the followers of the Shiite branch of Islam pose the most concern to JAIS.

The consensus among the most learned and respected Ulamas is that Shias are Muslims just like us who belong to Ahl As-Sunnah Wa'l Jama'ah. In July 2006, International Islamic Fiqh Academy, Islamic world's leading judicial body, adopted Resolution 152: Islam and the one ummah, and the schools of Islamic jurisprudence which states:

• Whosoever is an adherent to one of the four Sunni schools (Mathahib) of Islamic jurisprudence {Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi'i and Hanbali), the two Shi'i schools of Islamic jurisprudence {Ja'fari and Zaydi), the Ibadi school of Islamic jurisprudence and the Thahiri school of Islamic jurisprudence, is a Muslim. Declaring that person an apostate is impossible and impermissible.

• There exists more in common between the various schools of Islamic jurisprudence than there is difference between them. The adherents to the eight schools of Islamic jurisprudence are in agreement as regards the basic principles of Islam.

• All believe in Allah (God), Glorified and Exalted be He, the One and the Unique; that the Noble Qur'an is the Revealed Word of God preserved and protected by God, Exalted be He, from any change or aberration; and that our master Muhammad, may blessings and peace be upon him, is a Prophet and Messenger unto all mankind.

• All are in agreement about the five pillars of Islam: the two testaments of faith shahadatayn); the ritual prayer (salat); almsgiving (zakat); fasting the month of Ramadan (saivni), and the Hajj to the sacred house of God (in Mecca). All are also in agreement about the foundations of belief: belief in Allah (God), His angels, His scriptures, His messengers, and in the Day of Judgment, in Divine Providence in good and in evil.

• Disagreements between the 'ulama (scholars) of the eight schools of Islamic jurisprudence are only with respect to the ancillary branches of religion (furu) and some fundamentals (usul) [of the religion of Islam]. Disagreement with respect to the ancillary branches of religion (furu) is a mercy. Long ago it was said that variance in opinion among the 'ulama (scholars) "is a mercy".

This opinion has been endorsed by over 500 leading Muslim scholars worldwide including Sheikh Muhammad Tantawi, Sheikh Ali Gomaa, Mufti Taqi Usmani, Sheikh Yusuf Al-Qaradawi, Shaykh Abdullah bin Bayyah, Grand Ayatollah Khamenei, Ayatolla Sistani, Prof. Dr. Kamal Hasan and grand muftis from several Muslim countries.

There are extremist elements among both Shias and Sunnis who, in some countries even resort to violence, sometimes even inside mosques. Such elements must be exposed and isolated as they breed disunity among Muslims and defame Islam. There is also no need for proselytisation among Muslims. Dialogue between Shias and Sunnis must be promoted and encouraged, and differences discussed in an environment of brotherhood.

We need to be aware that sectarian conflicts are being promoted by enemies of Islam who want to impose their hegemony on Muslim societies and control the resources in Muslim states. We see that in Iraq, Lebanon and Pakistan. Imperialist forces are working to partition Iraq, Lebanon, and Pakistan along sectarian or tribal lines; instigating ‘moderate' Arab states to join with the United States and Israel to destroy Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in Palestine and bring about regime change in Iran. Regrettably some ulamas have allowed themselves to be used as tools by imperialists and despots for creating disunity among Muslims.

I appeal to you to take steps to promote unity among Muslims. I urge you to:

• Move the Rulers' Council to discuss and endorse Resolution 152: Islam and the one ummah, and the schools of Islamic jurisprudence adopted by the International Islamic Fiqh Academy in July 2006

• Take steps to educate the officials from the state Islamic religious departments, the media and the public on sectarian differences, Resolution 152 and the imperialist strategy to create disunity among Muslims

• Get the National Fatwa Council to issue a fatwa endorsing the opinion embodied in Resolution 152

• Promote dialogue between Shias and Sunnis.

Kind regards

Yours truly,

...............................................
S.M. Mohamed Idris
Chairman
Citizens International