KUALA LUMPUR: PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang should not give excuses like demanding an official letter from the National Fatwa (Edicts) Council on its decision to ban Amanat Haji Hadi (Haji Hadi Message), said Information, Communications and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim.

He said the council had decided on July 24, 2002, that the message issued in 1981 was contrary to the teachings of Islam and the principles of Islamic propagation.

"This goes to show that he (Abdul Hadi) had ignored the decision of the National Fatwa Council.

"As a leader, he should respect Islamic texts and the decision of the National Fatwa Council which has banned his message and not challenge the council to issue him a letter," Rais told reporters here.

Rais said anyone who went against the decisions of the Council had to answer to the "ummah" (people) and the council itself.

Abdul Hadi was quoted as saying that he challenged the Council to issue him an official letter on his message which the council had decided was contrary to the interests of Muslims, the sanctity of the religion and the principles of Islamic propagation.

On another matter, Rais called on the organisers of the gathering scheduled for Saturday at the Merdeka Stadium to abide by the provisions of the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012.

He said no one, regardless of whether they were from the opposition political parties or non-governmental organisations, could determine by themselves the venue to hold any gathering.

If the stadium management was agreeable, then the police would issue a permit to the organisers to go ahead with the gathering, he said. - Bernama

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