On 15 July 2024, Abdul Hadi Awang, leader of the Malaysian political party PAS, used religious narratives to strengthen support for his party by framing liberal and progressive ideologies as threats to Islamic values. He criticized the concept of liberalization for undermining human dignity, family structures, and community relationships, linking it to the acceptance of same-sex marriage and other social changes. He argues that such ideologies are opposed to Islamic principles and portray them as a danger to Islam's sovereignty and leadership. By positioning PAS as the defender of Islamic aqeedah and shari'a against these perceived threats, Hadi Awang effectively uses religion to rally his base and distinguish his party from political rivals. This approach exemplifies a broader trend among some Malaysian politicians of leveraging religious narratives for political gain, often by framing opponents as adversaries to Islam.
