Perlis mufti doubts '250,000 apostates' claim
Perlis mufti Juanda Jaya says it is “illogical” to believe that about a quarter million Muslims have converted to Christianity as of 2008, as claimed by Perak mufti Harussani Zakaria.
Perlis mufti Juanda Jaya yesterday says it is “illogical” to believe that about a quarter million Muslims have converted to Christianity as of 2008, as claimed by Perak mufti Harussani Zakaria.
“It's not logical for people to write on the Internet that apparently more than 250,000 Muslims in this country are apostates. Even if it is true, prove it and don't be emotional,” Utusan Malaysia today today quoted Juanda as saying.
Should there be any truth to the claim, he added, some people would surely have been brought to task.
“Each state has its enactments that prevent proselytising to Muslims, so why have (the people who do so) not been charged?” he asked.
According to Juanda, the matter of apostasy should not be publicised in such a manner as it is a senstive issue that puts Islam in bad light.
Speaking in Kota Baru, he said he does not discount the possibility that there are those from the Muslim community who have left the faith.
Juanda was referring to a statement by his colleague from Perak, Harussani, who called for those who proselytise to Muslims to be punished as this went against the Federal Constitution.
Apostasy on the rise?
National news agency Bernama had on Oct 15 reported Harussani as saying that he had found 260,000 Malays were 'Christianised' in Malaysia as of 2008, with the number expected to be on the rise.
Fear over alleged rise in apostasy has driven a group of Muslim NGOs to organise a rally in Shah Alam, on Saturday, where Harussani is due to speak.
The rally has, however, received mixed reaction with some, including PAS Selangor, raising concerns that it would encourage animosity among different religions.
In denying that this is their intention, the rally organisers also said it will not tolerate political hijacking, denying links with controversial politicians Zulkifli Noordin, Ibrahim Ali and Ezam Mohd Noor.
PAS political bureau is due to decide its stand on the rally tonight, while the rally organisers were reported stating that it will be meeting with Cabinet interfaith panel to explain its position on the same night.
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