Convince non-Muslims that ummah unity not just for Malays, says PAS ulama chief

PAS ulama chief Ahmad Yahaya emphasized that the Negeri Sembilan election demonstrated the potential for the agenda of uniting the ummah, or Muslim community, to form a larger coalition, not merely electoral cooperation. He urged PAS ulamas to work harder to convince non-Muslims that this agenda is not exclusive to Malays. Yahaya clarified that the unity of the ummah encompasses everyone, not just the Malay majority.

He noted that some people wrongly believe the ummah unity agenda only benefits Malays, thus sidelining non-Muslims. According to Yahaya, the main challenge lies in building non-Muslims' confidence in PAS's agenda amidst racial and political narratives promoted by certain groups. PAS must repeatedly convey its message of uniting the ummah, even post-elections.

The Negeri Sembilan election revealed that political cooperation could sway voting patterns, despite being loose and non-binding. Yahaya pointed out that the PN-BN alliance in the state election secured a two-thirds majority, ending the two-term rule of Pakatan Harapan. He stressed the need for PAS to enhance its religious education, organization, and machinery to pursue its agenda in a structured and sustained manner.

Yahaya highlighted the crucial role of ulamas in ensuring the ummah unity message is understood by all and building non-Muslims' confidence in this message.