MIC has equated Malay extreme rights NGO Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (Isma) to terrorist movement Taliban for its claims that Muslims should not wish 'Merry Christmas' to Christians.

Youth Wing leader C Sivarraajh has condemned Isma for practicing bigotry which is similar to the Taliban way of prejudice.

“Isma is preaching Taliban-style intolerance and bigotry. They are a poison to any moderate society and should not be tolerated.

“It is pure religious bigotry they are practising. This kind of unadulterated bigotry has no place in moderate Malaysia,” said Sivarraajh ( left ) in a strongly-worded statement.

He added that Isma was “blinded by hatred” towards non-Muslims and intends to create animosity among Muslims and non-Muslims.

“Isma must be blinded by hatred for everything non-Muslim. Their hate, suspicion and disdain for non-Muslims are well known.

“Isma is bending to spreading discord and hatred,” Sivarraajh said.

However, the MIC Youth chief assured that Isma does not represent the “vast majority of Muslims in Malaysia” and said the rightwing NGO was “misguided” which will “lead them on a blind path”.

Sivarraajh also believes there is no harm in using the festive greeting and called on all moderates, including Muslims, to continue with the wishes.

“There is nothing wrong in persons of different faiths wishing Christians a Happy Christmas and joining them in the celebrations without any perceived danger to their faith or beliefs.

“There are many Muslim MIC Youth members as well as Hindus in MIC Youth who are encouraged to visit as many Christian friends as possible and wish them all a Merry Christmas,” he said.

Isma activists recently made a claim that wishing Christians ‘Merry Christmas’ would be equivalent to Muslims admitting that God had a son.

Instead, they had urged Muslims to conduct preaching of Islam to non-Muslims during the festive season.

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