Muslim NGOs target S'gor MB over church raid
Published: Aug 8, 2011 7:34 AM | Updated: Aug 8, 2011 1:28 PM
The Defenders of Islam Movement (Pembela) has slammed Selangor Menteri Besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim for his "apologetic" stance over last week’s raid by the state Islamic Affairs Department (Jais) on the Damansara Utama Methodist Church (DUMC).
The Defenders of Islam Movement (Pembela) has slammed Selangor Menteri Besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim for his "apologetic" stance over last week’s raid by the state Islamic Affairs Department (Jais) on the Damansara Utama Methodist Church (DUMC).
Pembela president Yusri Mohamad condemned political interference in Islamic affairs and called for Jais to be given freedom in carrying out its duties.
"The Selangor MB's apologetic statement is regretful and should not have been made while the investigation (by Jais) is going on.
"Also, statements by non-Muslim politicians that have hurt the feelings of Muslims are as if Islam has no position in the country,” he said.
"The statements have added to the confusion and caused deep suspicion between Muslims and non-Muslims. It is best if Jais and other religious authorities in other states be given the freedom to carry out their duties so long as they do not violate any laws.”
Yesterday, Abdul Khalid appealed to the media not to discuss the controversy over the raid until all the facts are in.
He said they should wait for the full report from Jais which raided the dinner at the church compound on Wednesday.
On Thursday, Abdul Khalid said that he had personally called DUMC senior pastor Daniel Ho on the matter.
"I told him that the state has instructed Jais to provide a full report detailing the incident, including their justifications for their actions that night.
"I hope to meet the pastor again once the report is completed,” said the MB.
Khalid's resignation
Reassuring the residents of Selangor, Abdul Khalid said that the state government "fully respects freedom of religion of the rights of religious groups to manage their affairs".
In a statement today, Pembela also defended Jais, claiming that the department had entered the church premises in a civil manner.
"(We) find it necessary to condemn defamatory statements about Jais which claimed that it had 'stormed', raided', 'barged' (into the premises) or similar actions when, in fact, Jais had negotiated with the organisers for an hour before entering," it said.
The statement adds to the barrage of criticism directed against Khalid and his government after he expressed regret about the incident last Thursday.
The Muslim Consumers Association of Malaysia expressed similar sentiments in Malay daily Utusan Malaysia today, while Islamic welfare organisation Pekida president Jamaludin Yusof was quoted as asking for Khalid’s resignation if he is unable to defend the sanctity of Islam.
The daily also quoted Malaysian NGO Coalition secretary Mohd Jurit Ramli as accusing Khalid (left) of trying to appease non-Muslims in the state government.
A group of between 20 to 30 Jais and police personnel had on Aug 4 disrupted a dinner by entering the premises of DUMC without a warrant, claiming there was a complaint of proselytisation. They also took videos and photographs.
The organisers of the event, Harapan Komuniti have clarified that the dinner, at which several Muslims were present, was a fund-raiser for HIV/AIDS support programmes.
45 NGOs send memo to sultan in support of Jais
Muslim lawyers: Jais doesn't answer to politicians
Expect more Christian-bashing to come
Christians, too, have their sanctity to upkeep
When Christian aid is viewed with suspicion
Pembela president Yusri Mohamad condemned political interference in Islamic affairs and called for Jais to be given freedom in carrying out its duties.
"The Selangor MB's apologetic statement is regretful and should not have been made while the investigation (by Jais) is going on.
"Also, statements by non-Muslim politicians that have hurt the feelings of Muslims are as if Islam has no position in the country,” he said.
"The statements have added to the confusion and caused deep suspicion between Muslims and non-Muslims. It is best if Jais and other religious authorities in other states be given the freedom to carry out their duties so long as they do not violate any laws.”
Yesterday, Abdul Khalid appealed to the media not to discuss the controversy over the raid until all the facts are in.He said they should wait for the full report from Jais which raided the dinner at the church compound on Wednesday.
On Thursday, Abdul Khalid said that he had personally called DUMC senior pastor Daniel Ho on the matter.
"I told him that the state has instructed Jais to provide a full report detailing the incident, including their justifications for their actions that night.
"I hope to meet the pastor again once the report is completed,” said the MB.
Khalid's resignation
Reassuring the residents of Selangor, Abdul Khalid said that the state government "fully respects freedom of religion of the rights of religious groups to manage their affairs".
In a statement today, Pembela also defended Jais, claiming that the department had entered the church premises in a civil manner.
"(We) find it necessary to condemn defamatory statements about Jais which claimed that it had 'stormed', raided', 'barged' (into the premises) or similar actions when, in fact, Jais had negotiated with the organisers for an hour before entering," it said.
The statement adds to the barrage of criticism directed against Khalid and his government after he expressed regret about the incident last Thursday.The Muslim Consumers Association of Malaysia expressed similar sentiments in Malay daily Utusan Malaysia today, while Islamic welfare organisation Pekida president Jamaludin Yusof was quoted as asking for Khalid’s resignation if he is unable to defend the sanctity of Islam.
The daily also quoted Malaysian NGO Coalition secretary Mohd Jurit Ramli as accusing Khalid (left) of trying to appease non-Muslims in the state government.
A group of between 20 to 30 Jais and police personnel had on Aug 4 disrupted a dinner by entering the premises of DUMC without a warrant, claiming there was a complaint of proselytisation. They also took videos and photographs.
The organisers of the event, Harapan Komuniti have clarified that the dinner, at which several Muslims were present, was a fund-raiser for HIV/AIDS support programmes.
45 NGOs send memo to sultan in support of Jais
Muslim lawyers: Jais doesn't answer to politicians
Expect more Christian-bashing to come
Christians, too, have their sanctity to upkeep
When Christian aid is viewed with suspicion
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