Umno to amend clause on Islam in its constitution, says Jamil

(Bernama) – The Umno Religion Bureau is ready to table a motion to amend Clause 3.3 of the party’s constitution at the 2014 Umno General Asembly later this month.

Chairman Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom said the amendment was to recognise Islam as the religion of the federation and to define Islam as that practised by Ahli Sunnah Wal Jamaah.

“The clause needs to be amended as there is a lot of confusion among Muslims. There is the Shiah and the Milah Abraham group who claim to be Muslims but what they practise is strange,” he told a press conference after attending the Umno Religion Bureau’s national conference opened by Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor in Kuala Lumpur, today.

In his adjournment speech at last year’s Umno general assembly, Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Razak proposed that Clause 3.3 of the Umno Constitution be amended to recognise Islam as religion of the federation and for Islam to be defined as what is practised by Ahli Sunnah Wal Jamaah.

Clause 3.3 of the Umno constitution states that Umno will defend and spread Islam, the official religion of the country, and respect the principle of freedom of religion.

The motion would be discussed with Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, who is also chairman of the motion committee and spokesman for the 2014 Umno general assembly.

Jamil Khir, who is also Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department responsible for Islamic affairs, said they would decide whether the amendment to the Umno constitution be done this year or next year.

Asked about the religion motion to be tabled this year, the Umno Supreme Council member said it would centre on faith (akidah) and Islam’s contributions in the development of families, society and the nation.