Accra:Yayasan Dakwah Islamiah Malaysia (YADIM) has defended the appointment of former Egyptian Grand Mufti Sheikh Dr. Ali Gomaa as an adviser to the Malaysian Pondok and Turath Advisory Council. They emphasize that his selection should be judged on his expertise in Islamic scholarship rather than his involvement in Egyptian political matters.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, YADIM Nadwah Ulama dan Ilmuwan Islam (NUIM) chairman Dr. Bashir Mohamed Al Azhari highlighted Sheikh Ali Gomaa's significant contributions to Islamic education, particularly in traditional religious studies. Dr. Bashir argued that Egypt's complex political history should not overshadow the scholar's dedication to Islamic scholarship.

Dr. Bashir noted that Sheikh Ali Gomaa's focus on national stability and institutional continuity in Egypt should be considered within its political context. He countered claims that Sheikh Ali Gomaa opposed former Egyptian president Mohamed Morsi purely due to political differences.

This response comes amid criticism from former foreign minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah, who advised against appointing a foreign religious scholar to the government-proposed council. Dr. Bashir pointed to academic recognition of Sheikh Ali Gomaa's work, citing Dr. Mary Elston's research at Harvard University, which documented his efforts in reviving traditional Islamic study circles at Al-Azhar Mosque.

Dr. Bashir emphasized that Sheikh Ali Gomaa's practical experience in promoting traditional Islamic education makes him a valuable adviser for enhancing pondok and turath education in Malaysia. He clarified that the appointment is focused on benefiting from Sheikh Ali Gomaa's educational expertise, not endorsing his political views.

NUIM urges respect for the complexities of international political situations and stresses the importance of assessing the appointment based on its educational objectives, encouraging a distinction between political and scholarly evaluations.