translation Islamic non-governmental organisations called for an end to open discussions concerning sensitive issues such as apostasy in Islam and the jurisdiction of the syariah court.

The groups said they were not against the right of any party including non-Muslims to discuss matters pertaining to Islam.

However, they added that it must be done with proper respect accorded to the religion.

In order to preserve racial harmony, sensitive issues regarding Islam should not be discussed, they stressed.

The NGOs urged all those involved in the Article 11 coalition to heed Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's advice to exercise caution when raising religious issues.

Other channels

The Muslim Youth Movement of Malaysia (Abim) said open forums and roadshows on apostasy and Article 121 (A) of the Federal Constitution (pertaining to the syariah court) must be stopped to avoid the recurrence of a demonstration similar to the one held in Penang on May 14.

"Article 11 must stop its programme. If it wants to continue championing these issues, it should use other safer and effective channels," said Abim secretary-general Khairul Arifin Mohd Munir.

"We have the Attorney-General's Chambers or the Islamic Department for reference or to hold discussions with. Why not have a closed-door discussion with the experts and authorities?" he asked.

He said open forums with panelists who lacked expertise in Islamic law as well as those who were biased would not resolve the problem.

Khairul added that Article 11 must re-look its approach regarding this matter.

Cause uneasiness

Echoing a similar view was the Malaysian Ulama (Islamic scholars) Association. It's Penang chapter secretary-general Mohd Hafiz Nordin said Article 11 could raise these issues but not in ways considered 'rude'.

"Such methods would cause uneasiness among Muslims and give rise to anti-Islam sentiments," he added.

Mohd Hafiz, who was one of the main figures in the Penang demonstration, said cases that have been decided such as that of the late Mohammad Abdullah @ M Moorthy and Nyonya Tahir should not be raised

.

"The syariah court's decision must be respected. What will happen if all the cases at the syariah court are referred to and nullified by the civil court. Won't there be chaos?" he asked.

He also warned that the nation's harmony would be threatened if people questioned each other's faiths.

"What was opposed by the Islamic NGOs was the way Article 11 'played' this issue. The manner was irresponsible," he said.

Meanwhile, Teras Pengupayaan Melayu (Teras) president Azmi Abdul Hamid said the they were against the Penang forum because of the agenda to sideline syariah courts.

"Under the pretext of human rights, they condemned Islamic principles and the syariah court. They have an hidden motive to place the syariah laws under the civil laws," he alleged.

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