'Christian threat' seminar stirs tension
dpaPublished: Mar 29, 2012 8:46 PM | Updated: Mar 29, 2012 8:52 PM
A government-organized seminar for Islamic studies teachers at the weekend that focuses on Christian proselytizing has sparked outrage among Malaysia's minority Christians, deepening religious tension in the multi-racial country.
A government-backed seminar for teachers that focuses on Christian proselytizing has sparked outrage, deepening religious tension.
A government-organized seminar for Islamic studies teachers at the weekend that focuses on Christian proselytizing has sparked outrage among Malaysia's minority Christians, deepening religious tension in the multi-racial country.
"How can the government agree to something which will affect different sensitivities?" the Council of Churches of Malaysia
secretary-general Reverend Hermen Shastri told news website The Malaysian Insider.
"It's highly inflammatory, uncalled for. Someone must be held responsible."
The seminar was originally titled 'Strengthening the Faith, the Dangers of Liberalism and Pluralism and the Threat of Christianity towards Muslims: What is the Role of Teachers?'
It was co-organized by the education department in the southern state of Johor and the state religious department. More than 300 teachers of Islamic studies are due to attend.
The head of the Catholic Church in the diocese of Malacca and Johor states, Bishop Paul Tan, also weighed in on the issue.
"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," he told Malaysiakini.
Proselytizing is a crime in Malaysia where over 60 per cent of the country's population of 28 million are Muslims. Christians account for less than 10 per cent.
Despite the criticism of the seminar, the minister in charge of Islamic affairs, Jamil Khir Baharom, defended it, saying it was "to safeguard the interests of Muslims. It is within the purview and jurisdiction of each state."
The organizers decided to amend the title of the seminar to 'Liberalism, Pluralism and Apostasy: What is the Role of Teachers in Defending the Faith?' the official news agency Bernama reported Thursday.
The topics for discussion remain the same although the name has changed, Bernama quoted the organizer as saying.
In August, religious officials raided a church fund-raising dinner for a charity organization in the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur over allegations that it was a pretext to convert Muslims.
Twelve Muslims who attended the dinner were arrested and later sent for "counselling."
- dpa
"How can the government agree to something which will affect different sensitivities?" the Council of Churches of Malaysia
secretary-general Reverend Hermen Shastri told news website The Malaysian Insider.
"It's highly inflammatory, uncalled for. Someone must be held responsible."
The seminar was originally titled 'Strengthening the Faith, the Dangers of Liberalism and Pluralism and the Threat of Christianity towards Muslims: What is the Role of Teachers?'
It was co-organized by the education department in the southern state of Johor and the state religious department. More than 300 teachers of Islamic studies are due to attend.
The head of the Catholic Church in the diocese of Malacca and Johor states, Bishop Paul Tan, also weighed in on the issue.
"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," he told Malaysiakini.
Proselytizing is a crime in Malaysia where over 60 per cent of the country's population of 28 million are Muslims. Christians account for less than 10 per cent.
Despite the criticism of the seminar, the minister in charge of Islamic affairs, Jamil Khir Baharom, defended it, saying it was "to safeguard the interests of Muslims. It is within the purview and jurisdiction of each state."
The organizers decided to amend the title of the seminar to 'Liberalism, Pluralism and Apostasy: What is the Role of Teachers in Defending the Faith?' the official news agency Bernama reported Thursday.
The topics for discussion remain the same although the name has changed, Bernama quoted the organizer as saying.
In August, religious officials raided a church fund-raising dinner for a charity organization in the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur over allegations that it was a pretext to convert Muslims.
Twelve Muslims who attended the dinner were arrested and later sent for "counselling."
- dpa
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