AMANAH’S failure to chart a new narrative of political Islam is because it lacks structure and has not differentiated itself from PAS, said academics.

They told The Malaysian Insight that the Pakatan Harapan party should be brave enough to declare that it is “post-Islamist” so as to distinguish its ideology from PAS’.

“A post-Islamist party can assure the separation of powers, reject any form of religious- or gender-based discrimination, and voice out explicitly for pluralism and equality between men and women,” said Islamic Renaissance Front founder and executive director Dr Ahmad Farouk Musa.

“It can also defend the rights of minorities, whether they are Muslim minorities like Shias or minorities of different faiths.”

Although Amanah’s Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad had written substantially on the topic when he was in PAS, he is now “too busy” with his duties as health minister, said the Monash University Malaysia academic.

“It seems that Amanah has lost their intellectual leader, who could reformulate this new narrative of political Islam.

“We have not heard any of their leaders talking about post-Islamism, when this idea was one of the main reasons they were ousted from PAS.”

He said the whole idea of post-Islamism should be put forward as a fresh narrative to counter PAS’ Islamic state rhetoric.

“Post-Islamism is basically reconciling liberal democracy with Islam. Post-Islamism is the understanding and recognition that while religion may provide salvation in the afterlife, politics is what provides welfare in this one.”

Universiti Malaysia Terengganu lecturer Dr Mohd Yusri Ibrahim said Amanah’s weakness stems from its lack of a proper political structure at the grassroots level.

“For the Malay community in Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah, Pahang and other areas, politics is a daily affair.

“To penetrate this group, Amanah must build a strong structure at the branch level such as surau, and increase their social and community works to challenge the other parties.”

For Malay-Muslims to understand it better, he said, the party needs to adopt a practical approach as opposed to its purely academic and philosophical direction currently.

Although Amanah has introduced the “Rahmatan Lil Amin” (compassionate Islam) concept, Malay-Muslims still find it difficult to accept because it is complicated, said the Ilham Centre head researcher.

“Amanah’s plans to push for moderate ideas became harder when the opposition, especially PAS, started labelling Amanah as a party that promotes liberal Islam, a concept that is hated by many Malay-Muslims.

“Hopefully, Amanah can strengthen this narrative with the RM10 million budget it received after the concept was approved by the Conference of Rulers and the cabinet.”

Farouk suggested that Amanah emulate Rachid Ghannouchi of Ennahda in Tunisia with regard to its stand on secularism.

“This is an acid test of whether Amanah really is a post-Islamist party.

“Amanah should be able to come out loud and clear that secularism is the protector of all beliefs and religions. And, we need secularism in order for us to be true Muslims at heart in this century.” – January 15, 2020.