PAS Dewan Ulama chief Datuk Harun Taib has been laid to rest in Manir near Kuala Terengganu.
Leaders from both sides of the political divide paid tribute to the PAS veteran to command respect from political friends and foes alike.
Harun, 71, succumbed to multiple organ failure due to diabetes and was pronounced dead at 12.17am yesterday at Hospital Sultanah Nur Zahirah, reported Bernama. He leaves behind a wife and five children.
About 5,000 people attended Harun’s funeral yesterday morning at the Alur Lerang cemetery including PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak offered his condolences in a Twitter message, saying:
“I wish to extend my condolences to the family of Datuk Harun Taib, the head of PAS’ Dewan Ulama. May Allah bless his soul. Al-Fatihah.”
Harun, who is also a member of the PAS Syura Council which is the party’s supreme body, had come out in defence of the council’s decision in January last year that the word “Allah” cannot be used to describe God in any non-Muslim publications.
Abdul Hadi prior to the council’s decision had said that Islam did not forbid non-Muslims from using the word “Allah” but that it should not be abused to proselytise Muslims.
Jamil Khir, who attended the funeral as the official representative of Umno and the Government, said Harun’s death was a loss to the country as he was able to provide insightful views based on a deep knowledge of Islam.
“In spite of our political differences, he always kept the larger interests of Muslims and Islam in mind,” said Jamil Khir.
PAS deputy president Mohamad Sabu said Harun had always maintained cordial ties with his party colleagues despite differences in opinions.
“Some of his views were different from ours but he would not consider us his enemies and I had always been invited to give ceramah in areas where he was very influential,” said Mohamad.
Party information chief Datuk Mahfuz Omar said Harun’s acceptance of competing views in politics made him a party figure respected by friends and foes alike.
Mahfuz said Deputy Dewan Ulama chief Datuk Ahmad Yakob would assume the position of the wing’s acting chief until the next party election. – sources thestaronline
