Maybe mosques just don't like Ahmad Awang, says Selangor exco rep

Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) advisor Ahmad Awang might have been stopped from speaking at mosques and suraus in Selangor because they no longer like the religious scholar, and not because he had challenged PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang, said Selangor PAS chief Sallehen Mukhyi. 

Ahmad, who resigned from PAS after decades of service in 2015 before joining splinter party Amanah, told Malaysiakini he was no longer allowed to speak at mosques and suraus he had regularly lectured at after he challenged Hadi. 

"Maybe the mosque administration did not like him. It is up to the mosque and no one else can intervene in the administration. 

"They have the right to determining who can give lectures," said Sallehen when contacted. 

Ahmad said since challenging Hadi, he had been replaced as a regular speaker at several mosques and suraus. 

The former Persatuan Ulama Malaysia president said things became worse when he resigned from PAS, claiming his regular slots have been taken over by those close to Hadi.

However, Sallehen added the government does not intervene in mosque administration and regulations are enforced by the Selangor Islamic Affairs Council (Mais). 

"Maybe it is just a coincidence but religious lectures are under the purview of Mais," he said. 

He also advised Ahmad to take the matter up with the individual mosques. 

Meanwhile, Selangor Menteri Besar Azmin Ali said Ahmad needs to follow regulations if he wants to lecture on Islam in the state.

"It's okay. He cannot avoid following regulations," the MB told reporters in Gombak today.- Mkini