SINGAPORE: Following an amendment to its party constitution at its annual congress, the Islamist party Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS) will allow non-Muslims in the country to join them as associate members as long as they are not atheists. The motion to admit non-Muslim members into the party received the unanimous backing of over 1,300 delegates … Read more
In neighbouring Indonesia, concerns over the rise of political Islam and religious conservatism, especially in the lead-up to its latest election last month, appear to have cooled. All three pairs of presidential and vice-presidential candidates did not succumb to the use of identity politics to garner votes, observers noted. The three pairs are: Former Jakarta … Read more
SINGAPORE: British singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran has become the latest target of calls in Malaysia to bar performances in the country by artists who support the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community. Islamist party Parti Islam Se-Malaysia’s (PAS) ulama (cleric) faction, as well as the Penang mufti, have in recent days called on the government … Read more
