The Umno Religion Bureau is ready to table a motion to amend Clause 3.3 of the party's constitution at the 2014 Umno General Asembly (UGA) from Nov 25-29.

Bureau chairperson Jamil Khir Baharom said the amendment was to recognise Islam as religion of the federation and define Islam as that practised by Ahli Sunnah Wal Jamaah.

"The clause needs to be amended as there is a lot of confusion among Muslims. There is the Syiah and the Milah Abraham group who claim to be Muslims but what they practice is strange," he told a press conference after attending the Umno Religion Bureau's national conference opened by Umno secretary-general Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

In his adjournment speech at the 2013 UGA, Umno president Najib Abdul Razak (left) proposed that Clause 3.3 of the Umno Constitution be amended to recognise Islam as religion of the federation and define Islam as what is practised by Ahli Sunnah Wal Jamaah.

Clause 3.3 of the Umno constitution states that Umno will defend and spread Islam, the official religion of the country, and respect the principle of freedom of religion.

The motion would be discussed with Umno vice-president Hishammuddin Hussein, who is also chairman of the motion committee and spokesman for the 2014 UGA.

Jamil Khir, who is also Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, said they would decide whether the amendment to the constitution be done this year or next year.

Asked about the religion motion to be tabled at the 2014 UGA, the Umno Supreme Council member said it would centre on faith (akidah) and Islam's contributions in the development of families, society and the nation.

- Bernama