UiTM: Non-Muslim students not forced to attend Islamic events at camp
Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) today denied that non-Muslim students were forced to attend Islamic events during a co-curricular camp.
In a statement, the university said the events for non-Muslim students took place at the nearby mosque and its hall due to logistic conveniences.
“UiTM emphasises that the Identity and Spirituality Camp...
Summary
UiTM denies forcing non-Muslim students to attend Islamic events at a camp.
It says events for non-Muslim students took place at the nearby mosque due to logistic convenience.
Only Muslim students attended Islamic talks, while non-Muslim students took part in a talk on social etiquette, it adds.
Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) today denied that non-Muslim students were forced to attend Islamic events during a co-curricular camp.
In a statement, the university said the events for non-Muslim students took place at the nearby mosque and its hall due to logistic conveniences.
“UiTM emphasises that the Identity and Spirituality Camp programme was conducted with respect for all religious and cultural sensitivities of all participants,” it said.
It added that only Muslim students had attended Islamic talks, while non-Muslim students took part in a talk on social etiquette.
A total of 2,447 first-year students had attended the camp, including 34 non-Muslim students, it said.
Allegations
Yesterday, Sarawak DAP’s Michael Kong Feng Nian demanded that UiTM address claims that first-year non-Muslim students were allegedly forced to attend the camp, which included sessions on Quran studies and religious prayers.
Kong’s statement on Facebook also included a screenshot which claimed that the sessions had been held with the intention of converting non-Muslims.
He went on to share a poster of the event, which said that every non-Muslim student as well as 10 Muslim students from each class must attend the camp.
The poster noted that two events were specifically for non-Muslim students: registration and the mentioned social etiquette session.
UiTM said the debacle had resulted from confusion due to communication issues and the poster for the programme.
“The centre will review the procedures for organising the programme to ensure that its implementation is more efficient in the future.
“The improvements will include thoroughness in the delivery of information and promotional materials to avoid misunderstandings,” it said.
