The Muslim NGO group Himpun is to hold a roadshow in Kepala Batas on mainland Penang to strengthen Islam, defend the federal constitution and eradicate efforts to convert Muslims to Christianity.

Himpun media information committee chief Mansor Ibrahim said the roadshow was also meant to rescue the faith as well as prevent apostasy and the crime of homosexuality.

himpun rally crowd in shah alam stadium 5The date of the gathering, dubbed "Himpunan Sejuta Umat" will be announced on Sunday at a press conference in Kepala Batas.

Mansor said the event would be a follow up to the rally held at the Shah Alam Stadium in Selangor on Oct 22 last year, where about 5,000 people turned up in a show of force against "the elements threatening Islam".

Similar protests were organised in Kuala Kangsar, Perak, on Dec 17 and in Seremban, Negri Sembilan, on Jan 7.

‘Double-faced Muslim leaders'

Mansor said Himpun was supported by Malay and Muslim NGOs, including political leaders concerned about the threat of a Christian movement against Muslims.

"Islam is currently being threatened by a Christian movement outside the country that is behind certain political parties to convert Muslims and to establish a Christian state in Malaysia," he claimed.

"This is also being done by a group of non-Muslims who intend to undermine the sanctity of Islam and the Malays by riding on double-faced Muslim leaders who are willing to sell the dignity of Islam by quoting Quranic verses to wrest political power," he added.

Mansor said this was evident in several instances where the same leaders also supported the recent Sexualiti Merdeka festival involving the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.

"They constantly oppose our Muslim administration like uncivilised people. Their attitude and the methods they use are reflected in extreme actions, such as issuing all sorts of rude statements that have hurt the feelings of the Malays," he said.

The Penang rally is to be held at the Dewan Pusat Budi Penyayang in Kepala Batas and will be attended by several Muslim NGO leaders, including the sacked former PAS commissioner of Selangor, Hasan Ali.

NONEWhen contacted, Penang executive councillor on Muslim affairs Abdul Malik Abul Kassim (right) said the state would not be endorsing or sending representatives to the rally.

Abdul Malik said the rally cannot resolve the issues which the group has highlighted, but consultations and meetings would do a better job.

“The way forward to resolve these issues is through consultations and meetings between individuals and groups, we can sit together, or one to one, to discuss ways to bring about a solution,” he added.

Abdul Malik, who is PKR Batu Maung assemblyperson, said the state religious department has held various sessions with the public with the participation of many Muslim NGOs.

For example, today he is attending a ‘muzakarah’ where 48 NGO representatives will discuss and suggests ways to improve the domestic harmony of Muslim couples, and to find ways to deal with the increasing divorce rates in the community.