In a call to arms, today's Friday sermon asks the Muslim community to help counter the "cancer and virus" of "liberal forces" that have hijacked  the Internet, turning it into a diabolical weapon to undermine Islam in Malaysia.

NONE"In the context of anti-Islamic challenge through the great information technology, it is the duty and responsibility of Muslims to use whatever reasonable strategy, including the social media, to fight against, answer and repel the propaganda and tricks of the enemies of Islam," reads the sermon prepared by the Islamic Development Department (Jakim).

It says the enemies of Malaysia’s official religion were amassing and attacking to undermine Islam's position, especially the fight for upright values and moral ways.

It warned of an "organised cyber-army" that employed strategies such as symbols, websites, blogs, and widespread  use of social media tools such as Facebook and Twitter.    

"Remember, if Muslims remain careless and continue in their beauty sleep, unaware of the cancer and virus that are destroying its victim, for certain it will destroy your mind, cause you to lose your identity, warp your perception and in the end, destroy your power and dignity," warns the official sermon meant to be delivered in Federal Territories' mosques during today's Friday prayers.

Moves to censure Internet lauded

Jakim in the sermon lauds moves to censure and control the Internet, so that this tool may not be used to destabilise the country.

It did not name the enemies of Islam it was referring to, but noted that "they" were an international force that held to beliefs of liberalism, pluralism and so forth, and that the youths were the key targets.

"From our observation, dozens of symbols and hundreds of websites have already been employed to confuse and weaken the beliefs of Muslims who indulge in the cyber world."

"Believe me, the use of social media to weaken Islam has been a crafty strategy already employed by our enemies to successfully bring about the downfall of several Middle East countries," the sermon states.

Earlier this week, former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said that the time was right to filter Internet content due to rampant abuse in the distribution of pornography, questionable news and slander.