S’gor non-Muslim reps don headscarves for solidarity

‘We’re with you’: State executive councillor Rodziah Ismail (left) taking a selfie with women assemblymen in scarves to ‘show Muslims in New Zealand they are not alone’.

SHAH ALAM: Selangor’s non-Muslim women elected representatives donned headscarves to show support for the Muslim community, following the Christchurch tragedy.

Lee Kee Hiong (Kuala Kubu Baru), Wong Siew Ki (Balakong), Michelle Ng Mei Sze (Subang Jaya) and Lim Yi Wei (Kampung Tunku) wore headscarves, in tandem with women in New Zealand, at the assembly sitting yesterday.

Kiwi women wore the headscarf, in line with the Scarves for Solidarity campaign, as a mark of support for the country’s Muslim community, following the shooting of worshippers in the two mosques there last week.

“As women, it is incumbent to show support for Muslim women in New Zealand, as well as everywhere else. They must not fear of being attacked simply because they are wearing headscarves or the hijab,” Lee said.

The suggestion for the elected representatives to wear the headscarves to show their support was mooted by Sungai Kandis assemblyman Zawawi Ahmad Mughni during the assembly session on Thursday.

“I am thankful to all the state assemblywomen, who wore the headscarf in support of the solidarity campaign.

“It is also an effort to show all Malaysians that we must be united in rejecting all forms of extremism and radicalism as these breed violence and destruction,’’ said Zawawi.

Sentosa assemblyman Gunaraj George said the show of solidarity was also reflective that humanity still prevailed.

“We may have our differences but at the end of the day, we must lend support to each other,’’ he said.

PKR Bukit Melawati assemblyman Juwairiya Zulkifli said it was touching that her state assembly colleagues had chosen to wear the headscarf.

“This is what Malaysia is about, which is unity and camaraderie among the multi-racial communities,’’ she said.