PAS Youth has condemned a proposed interfaith commission in public discussion as containing elements that are destructive to Muslims in their comprehension of Islam.

The Muslim-based opposition party's youth wing takes particular exception to the issue of murtad (apostasy) being discussed openly and by non-Muslim groups and individuals.

Deputy PAS Youth chief Idris Ahmad said he finds it ridiculous that apostasy is under discussion as an option for Muslims.

"Islam clearly prohibits it but the interfaith proposal is talking about it on the pretext of freedom of religion," he added when contacted.

He said Islam strictly prohibits believers from leaving the religion.

"Once a person has embraced Islam, that person cannot leave it later. This is the general understanding, not unlike a sales and purchase agreement (S&P).

"To us, the kalimah syahadah (declaration of faith) is similar to an S&P and those who leave Islam are considered as fooling around," he added.

At the same time, he stressed that Islam does not force anyone to embrace its teachings.

National conference

The draft proposal , modeled after the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam), will be presented at a national conference for the first time tomorrow by a Bar Council-led steering committee in an attempt to get public feedback before determining the next move.

A loose coalition of Muslim non-governmental organisations are boycotting the two-day conference on grounds that a statutory interfaith body would usurp the functions of existing religious authorities.

Proponents of the interfaith initiative, which started off as an idea for an interreligious council, maintain that the proposed commission would not have any adjudicatory power but merely serve as a conciliatory body.

On the proposal's thrust to reach a middle ground on interfaith issues, Idris said that while there is freedom (of religion), it exists in a limited sense.

"It's like entering someone's house... you wouldn't want to fool around inside it. Surely, you would want to behave as per the house rules.

"Similarly, you cannot embrace (Islam) and then fool around within."

He said the government agencies are in the best position to discuss such matters.

"The matter (proposal) should have been referred to the National Fatwa Council and the Islamic Development Department as it touches directly on the sensitivities of Muslims and Islam."

No invitation

On whether he would be attending tomorrow's conference, Idris said he has not received any invitation.

"But we will study the development and monitor the feedback from the gathering before deciding to register our protest against the initiative."

He was also thankful that the drafters of the Federal Constitution were not being selfish when defining Malays as Muslims.

In May last year, the Allied Coordinating Committee of Islamic NGOs (Accin) did not mince words when outlining its objections to the formation of an interfaith body and to boycott any subsequent discussions.

Accin's objection, citing a memorandum by the Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism and Sikhism (MCCBCHS) to Suhakam in 2001, was mainly on the grounds that it was anti-Islam.

The memorandum recorded the problems faced by non-Muslims in freely professing and practicing their respective religions and an abridged version of the complaints was later sent to the Bar Council.

Accin could not be reached for comment since last week.

In a press statement dated June 15, Accin chairperson Mustapha Ma had described the initiative as self-serving to non-Muslims due to proposals to fundamentally change certain Islamic teachings.

He condemned the demands he said gave Muslims the right to renounce Islam, to facilitate apostasy through civil courts and constitutional provisions, to remove the word Islam on identity cards and to review state religious enactments.

"It does not seem to concern the MCCBCHS and certain elements in the Bar Council that these complaints and demands oppose Islamic teachings and are applicable only to Muslims," his statement read.

"They are therefore the concern only of Muslims and are to be dealt with only by the appropriate Islamic body with statutory powers and in accordance (with) the syariah."

Maintain objections

Citing Accin's position, he said the teachings of Islam should not be challenged or questioned by anyone, least of all by those who are not its followers.

"No intra-faith matters of any religion should be raised," he said, also criticising the Bar's involvement in the initiative.

There is also contention within the Bar Council, namely the syariah sub-committee, who has refrained from participating in the initiative right from the start.

When contacted, the syariah sub-committee chairperson Faridah Yusoff said their stand has not changed.

"We have maintained our objections to the interfaith initiative since the idea was mooted a few years ago.

"Although the initiative is under the Bar Council, we as a committee have decided not to join them."

The present interfaith initiative is being coordinated by a steering committee under the human rights sub-committee and with the full support of the Bar Council.