KUALA LUMPUR: Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan today took a swipe at the opposition when he said certain groups appear to have hijacked Islam in the country.
Mohamad, fondly known as Tok Mat, said certain political groups in the country felt that Islam belonged to them.
"They (the political group) believe that only they know what is Islamic and what is not.
"What is more dangerous is that anyone who doesn't align with them is seen as a threat to Islam or as failing to support Islam.
"They are, in fact, the ones who are using Islam to divide the Malays in this country," he said.
Mohamad said this in his speech when he simultaneously launched the Umno Youth, Wanita Umno, and Puteri Umno delegates' meetings here today.
He however did not identify the political groups he was referring to in his speech.
"They also instil fear and alienate Islam from the hearts and respect of non-Muslims towards this sacred religion.
"As a result, the ummah becomes divided and Islam is weakened."
Umno, said Mohamad, must do all it can to ensure Islam is not being used by certain political groups for their political mileage.
Umno must ensure that this does not happen and voice out its stance on this matter, he said.
Mohamad said Umno is the political party that shows that Islam is the solution to the development and prosperity of the country.
"We are the ones who pioneered the introduction of the most advanced Islamic banking and financial system in the world.
"We are the ones who have led in Islamic education, aligning it with modern education.
"We have developed various Islam-based universities and hundreds of such schools."
For Umno, Islam is a guide and a beacon to transform and ensure the country remains competitive, he added.