Islamic groups ask Jais to act against proselytisation
By Melissa Chi, The Malaysian Insider
Islamic non-governmental organisations (NGO) have demanded immediate action from the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais) against those who tried to convert Muslims.
“We urge the Jais and the other authorities to immediately take action and if there were efforts to convert Muslims from holding their faith as claimed by the National Fatwa Council Chairman and former Chairman of the National Fatwa Council.
“We are united and committed to defending the faith of Muslims held in this country from the encroachment in accordance with the position of Islam as a religion of the Federation of Malaysia Constitution and the provision of the existing laws including enforcing the law of apostasy,” the group of NGOs said in a statement today, as a result from the roundtable discussion organised by Ikatan Ilmuan Malaysia (ILMUAN).
The NGOs were referring to the recent raid of a dinner at the Damansara Utama Methodist Church (DUMC) in Petaling Jaya. The authorities have denied that a raid had been conducted at DUMC, preferring instead to claim that they had merely inspected the premises that August 3 after receiving complaints that Muslims were attending the function.
The discussion, “Ummah faith issues: What should our attitude be and what is our role?” was held yesterday at the Selangor state executive councilors housing complex.
The NGOs added that they uphold and support the efforts of any party to strengthen Muslims’ faith through education and welfare programmes and will demand empowerment programmes including the return of adequate assistance to religious schools.
The group also demanded that the relevant bodies with Islamic trust properties to act efficiently to help marginalised Muslims so that their life are “protected and secure” and that the issues related to the faith of Muslims are not manipulated and distorted by the newspapers to give political advantage to a certain party until it undermines the solidarity of Muslims.
“We stressed that issues relating to the faith of Muslims are very sensitive issues that could affect racial harmony, thus calling on all parties not to act against the stipulated law.
“We urge the institutions governing the affairs of Muslims are submitted to those truly qualified and respected so that these institutions are seen as absolutely authoritative,” they said.
