MAS Double Tragedies A Test, Don't Blame Government Or National Carrier - Zimbabwean Mufti

PUTRAJAYA, July 22 (Bernama) -- The two tragedies involving Malaysia Airlines (MAS) in four months were a test from Allah and one should not put the blame on the Malaysian government or the national carrier, said renowned Mufti Ismail Musa Menk from Zimbabwe. The popular motivational speaker said the tragedies were not a punishment from Allah and it did not mean that when people suffered tragedies, God was upset or angry with them. "In fact, it is a test that we, who believe accept that a test means a destiny that we need to go through as best as possible under the circumstances," he said after calling on Prime Minister Najib Razak at Perdana Putra building, here, Monday. Mufti Menk said those who blamed Malaysia or MAS actually did not understand what exactly happened. "I think it is unfair to blame the Malaysian government and MAS. I think it is very naive and incorrect because this could happen to anyone. "Malaysia has been made to go through these tragedies and it is not their choice at all. It is destiny and there is nothing Malaysia could do," he said. Menk said the courtesy call was to show solidarity with Malaysia and its leadership, and the families who lost their loved ones in the tragedy. He said the fact that MAS had suffered twice within such a short space of time was something history had not seen. "It is our duty to show solidarity with all those affected in any way, especially the leaderhip of this country that has been burdened by the tragedy." Menk has been in Malaysia since the first of Ramadan and will be in this country until after Aidilfitri. Last Thursday, the Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777-200ER, carrying 283 passengers from 10 countries and 15 crew members, was on a flight from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur when it crashed in eastern Ukraine. On March 8, a MAS aircraft on flight MH370 disappeared from radar screens while over the South China Sea from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. Carrying 227 passengers and 12 crew members, the plane is believed to have ended up in the southern Indian Ocean, west of Perth, Australia. The search for MH370 is ongoing but there has been no trace of the aircraft. (photoBERNAMA)