PENANG, 19 Dec 2008: Penang PAS Youth will stage a street protest tomorrow if the state government goes ahead with the I-Dance street dancing competition, which it strongly feels will not benefit the participants.
Its head Mohamed Hafiz Mohd Nordin said the protest also showed its serious stand on the event which it viewed could have a negative impact on young people.
“If the state government wants to go ahead with the street dancing event, we have no choice but to hold a street protest. Then it’s only fair for the government and Muslims in the state.
“We are not stopping the state government from holding the event but it must not involve Muslim youths. If they do it for youths of other religions, please go ahead,” he told reporters after the protest by about 400 Muslims within the compound of the Kampung Rawa mosque, here, after Friday prayers.
This was the second such protest, which lasted for about half an hour from 2pm.
On 12 Dec, more than 200 Penang PAS Youth members staged a similar protest in the compound of the Permatang Janggus mosque, near here, carrying banners and the protesters loudly condemning the state government’s leadership for supporting the street dancing competition despite the protest from various quarters.
Mohamed Hafiz said the event organisers should not open the competition to Muslim teenagers and youths as it could erode their moral values.
“That is our condition and we will not compromise on this. Fulfil this condition and we will not interfere with the event.”
He said PAS Youth had not budged from its stand against activities that are deemed to be defying Islamic principles, regardless of whether the government was Barisan Nasional- or Pakatan Rakyat-controlled.
It is understood that the state government, through its Youth and Sports Committee, supported the event organised by Danzity Productions to promote a healthy lifestyle and past-time activity for young people.
The preliminary rounds of the competition will be held at the New World Park tomorrow and the final at the Queensbay Mall on 27 Dec.
— BERNAMA
