PAS Youth chief Muhammad Khalil Abdul Hadi has warned Muslims not to celebrate Christmas tomorrow because the Christian celebration is against the teachings of Islam.
Khalil said Muslims should not post Christmas greetings on Facebook because it was an acknowledgement of the Christian religion.
"Christmas has an element of syirik (idolatry) which is against the teachings of Islam. They claim that God had a child, which is against our beliefs as Muslims.
"They celebrate Christmas with such elements. They claim the prophet Isa (Jesus) to be the son of God," he said during a lecture in Kuala Terengganu last night, according to Sinar Harian.
Khalil is also Batu Burok state assemblyperson and son of PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang.
Different standards for Sabah
However, Sabah PAS Dewan Ulama chief Mustaqim Aling (photo) urged Muslims, especially converts, to keep ties with friends and family of different religions.
"In Sabah, I hope we can all celebrate the festival together, and for those who have converted from Christianity to Islam, you should still visit, respect and spend time with your parents and family," he said, according to Star Online.
He said that if people respected one another, there will be peace. He also urged the public to keep up the spirit of open houses and visit one another during festive seasons.
"We want to ensure that Sabah continues to prosper and its people live happily as one big family," he said in a statement yesterday.
'Uphold peaceful coexistence'
Deputy Prime Minister Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, meanwhile, urged Malaysians to cherish the love, understanding and respect between fellow Malaysians this Christmas.
"In Islam, it is compulsory for us to tolerate one another.
"Surah al-Mumtahanah verses 8 to 9 encourages Muslims to be just and kind to non-Muslims who are not the enemies of Muslims.
"This Christmas, I call upon all Malaysians to continue to uphold the peaceful coexistence and bonds of friendship between people of all races and religions in this country," she said in a statement.
Wan Azizah also urged all Malaysians to care for the poor, sick, marginalised and those in need of shelter.
Similarly, Sarawak Chief Minister Abang Johari Abang Openg extended Christmas greetings to all Christians, while stressing that Sarawakians of all faith share joy and festivities together.
"Sarawakians are like brothers and sisters who have much respect for each other's culture and religion.
"In some parts of Sarawak, there are Christian and Muslim families that stay together under the same roof without much issue," he said.
