PADANG RENGAS: Pas president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang today urged new voters aged 18 to place the obligation to vote in the next general election, as a priority.
The Marang member of Parliament said voting is considered 'fardhu ain' (religious obligation) and no longer 'fardhu kifayah' (collective obligation), based on the current political situation.
"It is our responsibility to convey to young people especially those aged 18, our new voters, to fulfil their responsibility by voting because it is an obligation.
"In the situation where Muslims are in danger right now... (the need to vote) has become 'fardhu ain' and no longer 'fardhu kifayah'.
"If any ulama (scholar) wants to challenge me (regarding this view) I am willing to fight. Read it in fiqh books, in the jihad chapter. We choose (elections as a field) jihad peacefully, not violently," he said, in his speech at the launching of the state-level Pas Pilihanku 4.0 in Lubuk Merbau here today.
Perak Pas chairman Razman Zakaria and his deputy, Mohd Akmal Kamarudin, were present.
"In fact, scholars say that when Islam is sovereign and ruling, then it is obligatory jihad. However, when Islam falls and is in danger, the jihad becomes fardhu ain," Hadi said, adding that he was aware that youngsters mostly regard casting votes as something of little consequence.
"Most of the young people think that voting is not important. There is no need to go out to vote, there is no need to be aware of politics.
"To them, whoever rules the country, nothing will change even though this political power determines the sovereignty and power of Islam." he added.