We want to change to a just and fair Islam- Husam

KOTA BHARU, Oct 3 (Hrkh)-Kelantan State Government dispels the notion that its decision in declaring it state capital, Kota Bharu as an Islamic City, is a step toward backwardness.

Senior State Exco, Haji Husam Musa stressed that the opponents did not understand the true face of Islam, its value and teachings.

“We are adapting Islam that is just and fair. By declaring Kota Bharu, as Islamic City we want to uphold these values and teachings," he said, "adding Islamic Cities through out history were vibrant cities and centre of excellence in various fields."

Husam was interviewed by BBC World Service at his office in the State Administration Complex, Kota Darulnaim, this morning.

The Sultan of Kelantan officially declared Kota Bharu and Islamic City in a glamorous affair at the Sultan Muhammad Stadium, last night. The proclamation has attracted a lot of attention from local and international media.

Islam, said Husam, for a long time has been wrongly portrayed as oppressive and rigid leading to the various misconceptions today.

He, however, accepted the facts that the state has much to do in explaining the Islamic City concept to the public.

“We do need to do PR exercise domestically and internationally to dispel any bad notion regarding the declaration.”

On the question that the declaration is a step to backwardness, Husam retorted that one cannot relate Islam to backwardness.

“It was evident in the history almanac that Islam was progressive and the pioneers in various fields like mathematic, astronomy, medicine, science and technology.”

“So, please don’t relate Islam to backwardness,” he said.

For the record, Islam in its hey day, during the era of the second caliph, Omar Al-katab, ruled two third of the world, from Africa to China.

During the era of Middle Ages Europe, Islamic cities such as Granada, became the centre of knowledge and wisdom. It led an exemplary life with much higher standard than the rest of Europe.

While Europe was in the Dark Ages, Moslem rule cities were flourishing with trade, arts, culture and learning.

“Were there not the biggest library, the best medicine, astronomy school in the ancient time situated in the Islamic cities?" Husam quipped.

Husam revealed that in the discussion toward naming Kota Bharu as Islamic city, even things like fauna and flora was taken into consideration.

“Trees are also living thing. Even stone has it own right in Islam,” he said, adding that Islam forbid hunting and removing of stone from the Holy land – Mecca.

Muslim first than Malay

Husam said that Kota Bharu is more “alive” interm of economics activities compared previously. This is evident from the new buildings sprouted all over the city.

He attributed this phenomenon to the relaxation of the property and land laws that open up to non-Malay. Before deregulation, non Malay even born in Kelantan was restricted from owning a property or land.

“If we stick to the nationalist idea, this could not happen because the land and property law that forbid foreign ownership was enshrined in the State Constitution," Husam added.

“When we open ourself, land and property to Non – Malay, this create demand and more opportunity, thus, creating a more vibrant economy as evident today.

“Thats why we want to run an Islamic city not a Malay city. We want to educate our people to be Moslem first than Malay," he said.

For the future, the Government wants to enhance the state’s reputation as a place of cheap shopping destination.

"With good supermarkets and infrastructures we could attract, not only West Coast tourist but also from Southern Thailand," he assured.