Mais: Events influencing Muslims prohibited

SHAH ALAM: Any programme to persuade or influence a Muslim to be inclined towards another religion is prohibited in Selangor and an offence under the Non-Islamic Religions (Control of Propagation Among Muslims) Enactment 1988, says the Selangor Islamic Religious Council (Mais) chairman.

Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof was referring to a poster being circulated online on the “Projek Artikel 11 Jom Ziarah” programme organised by Impact Malaysia, which is under the Youth and Sports Ministry.

He said the programme invited the young who were interested in learning more about different religions to join an event at a church in Klang.

“Mais is of the view that this programme has elements to attract the interest of youths, especially Muslim youths, to acquire knowledge related to religions other than Islam.“If this kind of programme is allowed to be organised, it can subtly and subconsciously influence the thoughts of Muslim youths to be inclined towards a religion other than Islam,” he said in a statement yesterday, Bernama reported.

Abdul Aziz said Mais was of the opinion that understanding, tolerance and community unity were very important to ensure peace and harmony in the country.

However, he said learning religions other than Islam in churches or houses of worship required certain controls and restrictions to ensure that there was no element of persuading Muslims to be inclined and interested towards religions other than Islam, in addition to not involving Muslims in the rituals of other religions.

He said that Mais also took note of Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh’s remarks in Parliament that the programme which was originally open to everyone, was now limited to non-Muslim youths only.

“However, a check by Mais has so far found that posters and advertisements on social and electronic media have not been amended to show that this programme is only for non-Muslims.

“Mais advises any organiser be it from the public sector, NGOs or other organisations wishing to hold activities and programmes on the basis of promoting unity and harmony to be more careful and to be careful of the sensitivities of Muslims and the community in our country,” he added.