1. Malaysiakini (http://www.malaysiakini.com)
(1) Anwar: Christian threat is Umno propaganda, 28 March 2012
by S Pathmawathy
Pakatan Rakyat condemned the latest move to instil fear of the threat of Christianisation in the country, blaming it as tactic by Umno to “frighten” the Muslim Malay majority.
“I want to state, the all mighty in Malaysia is Umno - Umno is in charge of religion, Umno is in charge of the finances - so if the allegations (of attempt to spread Christianity) is true, that means it is Umno that failed to strengthened the faith of the Muslims,” said opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim.
“What I can confirm is that this is nothing other than a disgusting political manoeuvre to use religion to frighten the people,” Anwar said.
Speaking at a press conference at Parliament today, Anwar pointed out that if a movement exists to threaten the faith of the Muslims, then there are adequate legal measures that can be taken for transgressing the law.
He was responding to a letter on a seminar organised by the Johor Education Department the coming Saturday titled ‘Pemantapan Aqidah, Bahaya Liberalisme dan Pluralism Serta Ancaman Kristianisasi Terhadap Umat Islam. Apa Peranan Guru?’
(Strengthening Faith, Dangers of Liberalism and Pluralism and the threat of Christianity towards Muslims. What is the Role of Teachers?).
The letter addressed to primary and secondary schools heads in the Johor Baru district, required two religious teachers from 55 schools in the district to attend the seminar.
Drawing similarities to past claims of proselytisation of Muslims, Anwar said that the relevant authorities have failed to furnish evidence.
Last year, the Selangor Islamic Department gatecrashed an event organised by Harapan Komuniti at the Damansara Utama Methodist Church’s (DUMC) Dream Centre based on a tip-off alleging proselytisation among attendees.
Jais found 12 Muslims among the crowd but the organiser had denied any allegations of trying to proselytise Muslims, stressing that it was a fundraising dinner for the HIV support group.
Prior to that a controversy broke after several DAP leaders were accused of hatching a plot with pastors to establish Christianity as the country’s official religion.
Not proper to ‘politicise religion’
PAS vice-president Husam Musa, who was also at the leadership council meeting, reminded the government that it is not proper to “politicise religion”.
"If we are truly concerned, we would provide more for missionary work, heighten awareness and correct faith. We would stop corruption and mismanagement,” said Anwar, adding that such seminars would only create tension between faiths.
"We will advise Muslims in the country to be wary on this issue. As Pakatan (and) as Muslims (we) will continue to adhere to Islamic principles (and) maintain excellent rapport and working relationship,” he said.
DAP’s parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang (right in photo) said the seminar is at odds with Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak’s call for "moderates of the world to unite against extremists".
"This is creating suspicion and distrust among the religions.
"The Christian leaders have called for proof because they made it clear about their sensitivities and the need to maintain religious harmony,” said Lim.
Such programmes will only “lead to greater racial polarisation”, he said, urging for quick measures to be taken to resolve the issue.
(2)Bishop: Hasan's 'striptease disclosure' won't wash, 28 March 2012
by Terence Netto
Catholic Bishop Dr Paul Tan Chee Ing urged Hasan Ali to opt for "full rather than striptease disclosure" with respect to the video the former Selangor exco member for Islamic affairs claims he has on Christians proselytising Muslims.
Hasan earlier this week announced he would release excerpts of a video of an apostate Muslim couple, now returned to Islam, who he said would reveal details of methods employed by Christians to foment apostasy among Muslims.
"I must say it has taken him a long time to produce this video," commented the head of the Catholic Church in the Melaka-Johor diocese in remarks made to Malaysiakini.
"If it's authentic, why release only excerpts of it?" queried Bishop Paul Tan (left).
"Hasan should make good on his long standing promise to show evidence of Christian proselytisation of Muslims by going for full rather than striptease disclosure," argued the Jesuit-trained prelate.
"Since August last year, Hasan has been on a hiding to nothing. Now he says he has a video but is only going to release excerpts of it. Why this striptease?" asked the bishop.
The now expelled PAS representative on the Selangor executive council went out on a limb last August when he claimed that he had evidence of Christian proselytisation of Muslims at a fund-raising dinner hosted at the Damansara Utama Methodist Centre at which Muslims were present.
Hasan's claim sparked a furore that only abated toward the end of last year when the Selangor sultan made a statement that suggested the evidence for the incidence of proselytisation at the dinner was ambiguous at best.
This development scarcely gave pause to Hasan who ratcheted the tempo of his campaign against alleged Christian proselytisation with provocative statements that led to his party, PAS, expelling him from its ranks.
Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim was then obliged to drop Hasan from the line-up of the state exco.
'Show the entire video'
Bishop Paul Tan said he was surprised that Hasan would be satisfied with showing "just excerpts of the video he says he has in his possession to make his point."
"For a man of his academic rigour, I'm surprised that he thinks piecemeal disclosure is sufficient," he argued.
"He has not only to show the entire video but also produce the couple for questioning by a full court press before others can be convinced of the authenticity of his claims of devious means employed by Christians to proselytise Muslims," elaborated the bishop.
"It's a wonder he has not wearied of this charade. It has gone on long enough for him to have shown the evidence of his inflammatory claims.
"He has not done so and from the looks of it will continue to titillate rather than satisfy a skeptical public," he asserted.
2. Malaysian Insider (http://themalaysianinsider.com)
(1) Inter-faith chief says will act on provocative ‘Christian threat’ seminar, 28 March 2012
by Shannon Teoh
Azman said the seminar and its theme was counter to the government’s existing interfaith efforts. — File pic
KUALA LUMPUR, March 28 — The Cabinet’s interfaith panel will act against a “provocative” seminar by Johor education and Islamic authorities on the “threat of Christianisation”, which has sparked outrage among Christians.
Datuk Azman Amin Hassan, head of the Special Committee to Promote Inter-religious Understanding and Harmony, said the seminar flies in the face of the government’s school-level inter-faith harmony week launched last month by Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who is himself from the southern state.
“They should not have such provocative titles,” he said of the seminar themed “Pemantapan Aqidah, Bahaya Liberalisme dan Pluralism Serta Ancaman Kristianisasi Terhadap Umat Islam. Apa Peranan Guru?” (Strengthening the Faith, the Dangers of Liberalism and Pluralism and the Threat of Christianity towards Muslims. What is the Role of Teachers?).
Organised by the Johor Education and Mufti Departments, the seminar requires the attendance of two religious teachers from each of the 55 national schools across Johor.
“I will instruct my officers to look into it and the content of the seminar. We just launched the inter-faith harmony week in schools. This is not inline at all. I will advise them not to use such a title,” the National Unity and Integration Department (NUID) director-general told The Malaysian Insider.
He added that while “it is fine to improve your faith”, such seminars “will cause the [non-Muslim] community to feel uncomfortable.”
Azman also said in a text message later he has informed the federal government’s “education director general for immediate action.”
The Council of Churches of Malaysia (CCM) told The Malaysian Insider yesterday it was “shocked and in disbelief” over “the fact that it (the seminar title) is officially on the website suggests that the state department is lending support to this thinking that there is a threat against Islam.”
When contacted, Hasimah Abdul Hamid, the supervisor for the Islamic Education Unit of the Johor Bahru Education Office, declined to comment on the programme’s stance towards the apparent threat of Christianity against Muslims.
“The purpose of this programme is of course to strengthen the faith of Muslims,” she told The Malaysian Insider.
Christians form 9.2 per cent of Malaysia’s 28.3 million-strong population.
In recent years, the Christian and Muslim religious communities have been engaged in a tug-of-war over the word “Allah”, with the latter group arguing that its use should be exclusive to them on the grounds that Islam is monotheistic and the word “Allah” denotes the Muslim God.
Christians, however, have argued that “Allah” is an Arabic word that has been used by those of other religious beliefs, including the Jews, in reference to God in many other parts of the world, notably in Arab nations and Indonesia.
The inter-faith panel was set up by Putrajaya in the aftermath of a High Court ruling allowing the Catholic Church to use the term Allah in January 2010 that led to several places of worship, mainly churches, being firebombed.
Over the past year, Malay media such as Utusan Malaysia and conservative Muslim groups have also accused Christians of attempting to convert Muslims, resulting in heightened tension between followers of the two religions.
(2) Perkasa: ‘Christian threat’ seminars a must, 28 March 2012
by Mohd Farhan Darwis
Syed Hassan said the seminar was in response to organised efforts to convert Muslims. — File pic
KUALA LUMPUR, March 28 — Perkasa insisted today seminars warning against “the threat of Christianisation” must go on to fend off “organised efforts to convert Muslims.”
The Malay rights organisation also questioned whether Christians outraged at such a seminar for 110 national school teachers in Johor this weekend were, in fact, alarmed that their efforts to proselytise were being obstructed.
Council of Churches of Malaysia (CCM) youth moderator Chrisanne Chin told The Malaysian Insider yesterday she was “shocked and in disbelief” over “the fact... the state department is lending support to this thinking that there is a threat against Islam.”
But Perkasa secretary-general Syed Hassan Syed Ali asked if “Chin knows that without determined and organised efforts by certain parties to convert Muslims, Islamic bodies won’t be holding such seminars.”
“Why is Chin so alarmed? Is it because the seminar will actually make it difficult for certain parties to Christianise Muslims?” he added.
Chin had slammed yesterday the Johor Education and Mufti Departments for organising the seminar that requires the attendance of two religious teachers from each of the 55 national schools across the state.
The event is themed “Pemantapan Aqidah, Bahaya Liberalisme dan Pluralism Serta Ancaman Kristianisasi Terhadap Umat Islam. Apa Peranan Guru?” (Strengthening the Faith, the Dangers of Liberalism and Pluralism and the Threat of Christianity towards Muslims. What is the Role of Teachers?).
Syed Hassan also said if the seminar was cancelled due to political pressure, “then Perkasa regards the organisers as cowardly Muslims.”
Christians form 9.2 per cent of Malaysia’s 28.3 million-strong population.
In recent years, the Christian and Muslim religious communities have been engaged in a tug-of-war over the word “Allah”, with the latter group arguing that its use should be exclusive to them on the grounds that Islam is monotheistic and the word “Allah” denotes the Muslim God.
Christians, however, have argued that “Allah” is an Arabic word that has been used by those of other religious beliefs, including the Jews, in reference to God in many other parts of the world, notably in Arab nations and Indonesia.
On December 31, 2009, the High Court here allowed the Catholic Church to use the term Allah. Several places of worship, mainly churches, were subsequently firebombed.
Over the past year, Malay media such as Utusan Malaysia and conservative Muslim groups have also accused Christians of attempting to convert Muslims, resulting in heightened tension between followers of the two religions.
(3) Anwar: Johor seminar a ‘disgusting political manoeuvre’, 28 March 2012
by Clara Chooi
Anwar slammed the seminar as a ploy to frighten the public. — File pic
KUALA LUMPUR, March 28 — Pakatan Rakyat (PR) leaders have demanded Putrajaya explain this weekend’s “anti-Christianisation” seminar in Johor, which their de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim labelled today “a disgusting political manoeuvre”.
The leaders, when questioned during a press conference in Parliament this afternoon, agreed the event was a dangerous move that could add further tension to the country’s religious ties.
“What I can confirm is that this is nothing other than a disgusting political manoeuvre to use religion to frighten the people,” Anwar said.
The opposition leader was quick to link the matter to Umno, saying it was often leaders from the country’s ruling party who had a penchant for using religion to capture Malay support.
But Anwar added that if the alleged threat of Christianisation is real, those claiming to know of such incidences should furnish proof instead of instigating fear and anger among Muslims.
“Is it true there is a massive effort to Christianise Muslims as alleged by some quarters?” he asked.
“If there is any proof of such efforts, of Christian priests infringing the laws?”
Religious teachers from national schools in Johor will attend an officially-sanctioned seminar this Saturday focussing on the “threat of Christianisation”, which has sparked outrage among Christians.
Organised by the Johor Education Department and the Johor Mufti Department, the seminar themed “Pemantapan Aqidah, Bahaya Liberalisme dan Pluralism Serta Ancaman Kristianisasi Terhadap Umat Islam. Apa Peranan Guru?” (Strengthening the Faith, the Dangers of Liberalism and Pluralism and the Threat of Christianity towards Muslims. What is the Role of Teachers?) requires the attendance of two religious teachers from each of the 55 national schools across Johor.
“This is mere propaganda by Umno to strengthen the party and frighten the Malays... as though there is a massive Christian movement.
“But I’d like to remind here that the one in power in Malaysia is Umno — power over religion, over money — it is Umno... so if these allegations (of Christianisation) are true, that means Umno has failed to protect the Islamic faith,” Anwar said.
“These are very, valid issues that we must address. But now, my position is very clear: If you have specific evidence against anyone who has transgressed the law, then due action must be taken.
“But to use religion, to inculcate this culture of fear among the Malays as if they are under threat... ” he continued.
DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang agreed with Anwar and demanded for Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to intervene in the matter.
Calling the seminar an “insensitive and irresponsible” event, Lim said that its organisers have also gone against the prime minister’s 1 Malaysia concept.
“To have such a programme would only lead us towards greater racial polarisation and something must be done to stop it immediately,” he said.
PAS vice-president Datuk Husam Musa said it was always his party’s stand to advise all parties against using religion for political gain.
“It is forbidden in Islam,” he said.
Christians form 9.2 per cent of Malaysia’s 28.3 million population.
In recent years, the Christian and Muslim religious communities have been engaged in a tug of war over the word “Allah”, with Muslims arguing that its use should be exclusive to them on the grounds that Islam is monotheistic and the word “Allah” denotes the Muslim God.
Christians have argued that “Allah” is an Arabic word that has been used by those of other religious beliefs, including the Jews, in reference to God in many other parts of the world, notably in Arab nations and Indonesia.
Conservative Muslim groups have also accused Christians of attempting to convert Malays, resulting in heightened tension between followers of the two religions.
(4) Government duty-bound to act on ‘Christian threats’, says ulama council, 28 March 2012
by Shazwan Mustafa Kamal
KUALA LUMPUR, March 28 — The Johor government should not be apologetic for organising a seminar on the “threat of Christianisation” as it is an “Islamic” administration and has a duty to do so, says the Malaysian Ulama Association (PUM).
Religious teachers from national schools in Johor will attend an officially sanctioned seminar this Saturday focusing on the “threat of Christianisation”. The seminar has sparked outrage among Christians.
The seminar, organised by the Johor Education Department and the Johor Mufti Department, is themed “Pemantapan Aqidah, Bahaya Liberalisme dan Pluralism Serta Ancaman Kristianisasi Terhadap Umat Islam. Apa Peranan Guru?” (Strengthening the Faith, the Dangers of Liberalism and Pluralism and the Threat of Christianity towards Muslims. What is the Role of Teachers?).
Two religious teachers from 55 national schools across Johor are required to attend.
“We need to have these kind of seminars,” PUM president Datuk Sheikh Abdul Halim Abdul Kadir told The Malaysian Insider.
“I do not accept the excuse that Christians will be upset or hurt because of this seminar... the problem of Christianisation has been around for a long while, it is real.
“Therefore, any authority or government which is Islamic has a right to do this. You need to educate teachers, especially the young ones who are unaware of this problem.”
Abdul Halim said it was a “known fact” that Christian missionaries had been “aggressively” trying to convert Muslims out of Islam for years, and that they were just doing their “job”.
“Christian missionaries have been stronger than some Muslims. This is what they do, what is demanded of them.
“We, as Muslims, have to fortify ourselves, and as of late this has happened. Many Muslims are now fighting against Christianisation.”
Asked for proof of the claims of “Christianisation”, Abdul Halim said it was happening “directly and indirectly”.
“Proof has been there all awhile... television shows, models, clothing, all these have indirect effects, purposes. We know this.
“As Muslims, we must do our part. The work cannot be done by one person, so if the government does this, support,” he said.
A copy of a letter about the seminar from the Johor Education Department to national schools appears on its website.
Hasimah Abdul Hamid, supervisor for the Islamic Education Unit of the Johor Bahru Education Office, declined to comment on the programme’s stance towards the apparent threat of Christianity against Muslims.
“The purpose of this programme is of course to strengthen the faith of Muslims,” she told The Malaysian Insider.
“But I can’t say anything about the title, because it was provided by the organisers.”
Christians form 9.2 per cent of Malaysia’s 28.3 million population.
In recent years, the Christian and Muslim religious communities have been engaged in a tug of war over the word “Allah”, with Muslims arguing that its use should be exclusive to them on the grounds that Islam is monotheistic and the word “Allah” denotes the Muslim God.
Christians have argued that “Allah” is an Arabic word that has been used by those of other religious beliefs, including the Jews, in reference to God in many other parts of the world, notably in Arab nations and Indonesia.
A number of conservative Muslim groups have also accused Christians of attempting to convert Malays, resulting in heightened tension between followers of the two religions.
(5) Seminar prevents confusion among young Muslims, says Johor Mufti Department, 29 March 2012
by Ida Lim
KUALA LUMPUR, March 29 — The Johor Mufti Department has said its seminar on Saturday is to ensure young Muslims are not influenced by “the threat of Christianisation.”
The officer in charge of the seminar told The Malaysian Insider yesterday the department was jointly organising the seminar with the state education authorities because they “fear young Muslims will be confused and not understand” when faced with attempts to convert them.
File photo of a Muslim girl with her mother after prayers during Hari Raya in Kota Baru. — Reuters pic
“Even if there is no threat, we must be careful so that the faith of Muslims will not be influenced,” the official, who declined to be named, said when asked if he had proof of proselytising by Christians.
The seminar with the theme “Pemantapan Aqidah, Bahaya Liberalisme dan Pluralism Serta Ancaman Kristianisasi Terhadap Umat Islam. Apa Peranan Guru?” (Strengthening the Faith, the Dangers of Liberalism and Pluralism and the Threat of Christianity towards Muslims. What is the Role of Teachers?) requires the attendance of two religious teachers from each of the 55 national schools across Johor.
The Johor Mufti and Education departments have come under fire for endorsing the unproven claim that Christians are threatening the Islamic faith.
Chrisanne Chin, Council of Churches of Malaysia (CCM) Youth Moderator, was shocked and in disbelief, saying yesterday “why is there a perceived threat? Do they have to create this sense of fear?”
Chin, who is also an executive council member of CCM, stressed that while she was not against religious teacher training programmes, one such as this would put pressure on the teachers to spread religious tension and fear among unsuspecting pupils.
The Cabinet’s interfaith panel head Datuk Azman Amin Hassan said the “provocatively-titled” seminar flies in the face of the government’s school-level interfaith harmony week launched last month by Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
He added that while “it is fine to improve your faith”, such seminars “will cause the [non-Muslim] community to feel uncomfortable.”
Azman also said in a text message that he has informed the federal government’s “education director-general for immediate action.”
Pakatan Rakyat (PR)’s de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim yesterday labelled the seminar as “a disgusting political manoeuvre to use religion to frighten the people”.
But the Malaysian Ulama Association (PUM) and Malay rights organisation Perkasa supported the seminar as necessary, insisting that the threat is real.
The Johor Mufti Department officer also said that as part of their responsibilities to Muslims, similar seminars have been held to “educate (Muslim) youths and rural folks so there would be no misconception when these issues arise.”
Christians form 9.2 per cent of Malaysia’s 28.3 million-strong population.
In recent years, the Christian and Muslim religious communities have been engaged in a tug-of-war over the word “Allah”, with the latter group arguing that its use should be exclusive to them on the grounds that Islam is monotheistic and the word “Allah” denotes the Muslim God.
Christians, however, have argued that “Allah” is an Arabic word that has been used by those of other religious beliefs, including the Jews, in reference to God in many other parts of the world, notably in Arab nations and Indonesia.
A number of conservative Muslim groups have also accused Christians of attempting to convert Malays, resulting in heightened tension between followers of the two religions.
(6) Deputy minister, education exco say unaware of ‘Christian threat’ seminar, 28 March 2012
by Shannon Teoh and Clara Chooi
Wee, who is deputy education minister, declined to comment until he obtained further details. — File pic
KUALA LUMPUR, March 28 — Ruling lawmakers in charge of education at state and federal levels have said they are unaware of Saturday’s seminar in Johor to discuss the role of teachers in addressing the “threat of Christianisation”, but added they would look into the matter.
They told The Malaysian Insider today they would “check first before commenting further” when asked if the event organised by the Johor Mufti and Education Departments, which requires the attendance of two teachers from each of the 55 schools across the state, was approved by their administrations.
“I have no knowledge that officers in the education department are doing this. Maybe it is because there is additional allocation under the Johor Islamic Religious Council.
“I need to get more information but efforts to strengthen the faith is normal,” Johor executive councillor Datuk Mauzilan Bujang said.
Deputy Education Minister Datuk Wee Ka Siong also said he was not aware of the seminar themed “Pemantapan Aqidah, Bahaya Liberalisme dan Pluralism Serta Ancaman Kristianisasi Terhadap Umat Islam. Apa Peranan Guru?” (Strengthening the Faith, the Dangers of Liberalism and Pluralism and the Threat of Christianity towards Muslims. What is the Role of Teachers?).
“I do not know. I do not want to comment until I know the details,” the MP from Ayer Hitam, Johor, said when asked if such events were common.
The two state departments have come under fire for endorsing the claim that Christians are a threat to the Islamic faith.
The Council of Churches of Malaysia (CCM) told The Malaysian Insider yesterday it was “shocked and in disbelief” over “the fact... the state department is lending support to this thinking that there is a threat against Islam.”
The Cabinet’s Special Committee to Promote Inter-religious Understanding and Harmony also said it will act against the “provocative” seminar.
Pakatan Rakyat (PR) leaders also demanded the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) explain what they call “a disgusting political manoeuvre”.
But Muslim NGOs have defended the seminar, saying the government is “duty-bound” to act on Christian threats.
Christians form 9.2 per cent of Malaysia’s 28.3 million population.
In recent years, the Christian and Muslim religious communities have been engaged in a tug of war over the word “Allah”, with Muslims arguing that its use should be exclusive to them on the grounds that Islam is monotheistic and the word “Allah” denotes the Muslim God.
Christians have argued that “Allah” is an Arabic word that has been used by those of other religious beliefs, including the Jews, in reference to God in many other parts of the world, notably in Arab nations and Indonesia.
Conservative Muslim groups have also accused Christians of attempting to convert Malays, resulting in heightened tension between followers of the two religions.
(7) Interfaith group wants heads to roll over ‘inflammatory’ seminar, 29 March 2012
by Shazwan Mustafa Kamal
KUALA LUMPUR, March 29 — The government must explain why it is allowing a “highly inflammatory” seminar on the “threat of Christianisation” to be held this weekend, the Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST) has said.
Religious teachers from national schools in Johor will attend an officially-sanctioned seminar this Saturday focusing on the “threat of Christianisation”. The seminar has sparked outrage among Christians.
The seminar, organised by the Johor Education Department and the Johor Mufti Department, is themed “Pemantapan Aqidah, Bahaya Liberalisme dan Pluralism Serta Ancaman Kristianisasi Terhadap Umat Islam. Apa Peranan Guru?” (Strengthening the Faith, the Dangers of Liberalism and Pluralism and the Threat of Christianity towards Muslims. What is the Role of Teachers?).
Two religious teachers from each of the 55 national schools across Johor are required to attend.
“How can the government agree to something which will affect different sensitivities?
“Is this the policy of the Education Ministry? Who has sanctioned this? Highly inflammatory, uncalled for, someone must be held responsible,” MCCBCHST honorary deputy treasurer-general Reverend Dr Hermen Shastri (picture) told The Malaysian Insider.
He said the council will hold a meeting tomorrow to discuss the matter, and will come up with a more thorough response then.
“On behalf of the Council of Churches of Malaysia (CCM) as well, we are extremely disappointed with the government for allowing this to happen,” said Shastri, who is also CCM secretary-general.
“What if we said Islam was a threat towards Malaysians, we can also ask... what happens then?” said the reverend.
A copy of a letter about the seminar from the Johor Education Department to national schools appears on its website.
Hasimah Abdul Hamid, supervisor for the Islamic Education Unit of the Johor Baru Education Office, declined to comment on the programme’s stance towards the apparent threat of Christianity against Muslims.
“The purpose of this programme is of course to strengthen the faith of Muslims,” she told The Malaysian Insider.
“But I can’t say anything about the title, because it was provided by the organisers.”
But the Malaysian Ulama Association (PUM) said yesterday the Johor government should not be apologetic for organising a seminar on the “threat of Christianisation” as it is an “Islamic” administration and has a duty to do so.
“We need to have these kind of seminars,” PUM president Datuk Sheikh Abdul Halim Abdul Kadir told The Malaysian Insider.
“I do not accept the excuse that Christians will be upset or hurt because of this seminar... the problem of Christianisation has been around for a long while, it is real.
“Therefore, any authority or government which is Islamic has a right to do this. You need to educate teachers, especially the young ones who are unaware of this problem.”
Christians form 9.2 per cent of Malaysia’s 28.3 million population.
In recent years, the Christian and Muslim religious communities have been engaged in a tug of war over the word “Allah”, with Muslims arguing that its use should be exclusive to them on the grounds that Islam is monotheistic and the word “Allah” denotes the Muslim God.
Christians have argued that “Allah” is an Arabic word that has been used by those of other religious beliefs, including the Jews, in reference to God in many other parts of the world, notably in Arab nations and Indonesia.
A number of conservative Muslim groups have also accused Christians of attempting to convert Malays, resulting in heightened tension between followers of the two religions.
3. Free Malaysia(http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com)
‘Seminar will undermine religious harmony’, 29 March 2012
by Stephanie Sta Maria
The interfaith group also wonders why government ministers have not spoken up on the controversial issue.
UPDATED
PETALING JAYA: A dismayed Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taosim (MCCBCST) has said that this weekend’s seminar on the “threat of Christianisation” would undermine years of efforts in fostering religious harmony and tolerance.
The controversial seminar is organised by the Johor Education Department and the Johor Mufti Department and will involve 110 religious teachers from all the national schools in the state.
Themed “Pemantapan Aqidah, Bahaya Liberalisme dan Pluralism Serta Ancaman Kristianisasi Terhadap Umat Islam. Apa Peranan Guru?” (Strengthening the Faith, the Dangers of Liberalism and Pluralism and the Threat of Christianity towards Muslims. What is the Role of Teachers?), the seminar is aimed at “strenghtening the faith of Muslims”.
But MCCBCST chairman, Reverend Thomas Phillips, pointed out that it has also upset and offended many people within and outside the council.
“It’s very sad that the government is allowing such a seminar to take place after we’ve been working together all this while in mutual respect and especially after we celebrated World Interfaith Harmony Week last month,” he told FMT.
Thomas also noted that the silence of government ministers on this issue particularly that of Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak, who is currently abroad.
“No one in the government is expressing solidarity and support for interfaith matters,” he said.
He added that the MCCBCST’s executive committee would discuss the seminar during its regular meeting this evening and issue a statement later.
Meanwhile, the Kuching Ministers Fellowship (KMF) said that it will reserve its comments until the government has stated its stand over the issue.
“We will monitor the developments over the matter for now,” KMF chairman, Daron Tan, stated. “Any statement from us will be issued if and when we decide to convene over it.”
Malaysia’s Christian population has been facing recent accusations by conservative Muslim groups of attempting to proselytise and convert Muslims, which has sparked tension between both sides.
Stirring paranoia and resentment
Head of the Catholic Church in the Malacca-Johor diocese, Bishop Paul Tan also expressed concern over the matter.
“The way the theme of the seminar is phrased, it would take a lecturer of the most delicate detachment to avoid stirring paranoia and resentment towards Christians,” offered the prelate.
“I do not believe that Islamic faith is in any way inferior to Christian belief that some Muslims time and again have tried to instill fear of Christian proselytization. In fact, from the very inception of both religions, believers of both religions have been engaged in propagating their faiths.
“In Malaysia, it is a well known fact that Muslims have converted and is still trying to convert people of other faiths than that of Islam to become Muslims. I do not have to belabour this point as it is obvious from reports in the press and by other sources, even admitted by the government,” he said.
Tan said that there had been complaints from some of his faithful Christians of surreptitious means used to convert especially the children of Christians.
“When you allow religious hustlers to go around making claims without substantive proof that Christianisation of Muslims occurred, I suppose you will wind up with a situation where the gulf between the imagined and the actual is so wide that it is not possible to be objective anymore,” he added.
Tan said he was stupefied at the neutrality of the powers that be before “religious demagogues who go around saying things and making inflammatory claims that are simply not true.”
“What are we to make of this neutrality that allows people to stir paranoia and create fear with impunity?” he asked.
Tan pleaded that the time had come for moderates of every religion in the country to speak up against the purveyors of paranoia and resentment.
“When religious demagogues are let loose religious moderates must hold together to thwart them,” he added.
(End)
