Muslim religious figures have adopted an open-door approach to the 'Article 11' debate and called for dialogues to discuss the state of religious freedom in the country.

PAS, a recent advocate of such dialogues, said it is planning to conduct its own sessions and would not exclude those on the perceived 'extremes' of the issue.

"As we are a political party operating in a civilised society, the door to dialogue is always open. This will clarify things and clear misconceptions," said Mujahid Yusuf Rawa, who heads PAS' national unity committee.

Despite being a vociferous opponent of the Article 11 coalition, named after the constitutional provision on freedom of religions, Mujahid said PAS was "charting a way for dialogue in the near future" with all parties regardless of the perceived "severity" of their views on the issue.

"However, that holds for the 'other side' as well. They cannot sideline us from the discussions just because we hold opposing views," he said when contacted.

PAS had previously appeared to have taken a 'hardline' stance against the Article 11 coalition, particularly on the issue of conversion.

A youth wing leader tabling a motion at the party's recent muktamar (general meeting) received overwhelming endorsement from PAS delegates when he inveighed against what he alleged to be groups such as Article 11 to "apostasise Muslims".

State PAS youth members were also part of a 200-strong protest group that disrupted an Article 11-organised public forum in Penang held in May to discuss freedom of religion.

Constitutional supremacy

Mujahid pointed out, however, that the motion tabled by the youth wing - which was seconded by the party's influential scholars wing Dewan Ulama and passed by the delegates - also called for the party to discuss and engage the public, especially non-Muslims.

"The demonstration at Penang was not sponsored or directed by PAS, it was a gathering of like-minded non-governmental organisations. We could not control it as the issue had touched a raw nerve among Muslims," he added.

Mujahid insisted that the premise of dialogues with any party on such issues as Article 11 was the supremacy of the Federal Constitution.

He further said that people also have to understand that historically the efforts have been towards "strengthening the position of Islam in the context of the constitution, not the other way around."

People also have to understand that unlike other religions, the issue of apostasy and syariah laws related to it are "part and parcel of Islam itself."

"If you talk of respect, you have to respect the faith first ...that provision is not solely a matter of an article in the constitution. It is a matter of faith," said Mujahid.

Among other Muslim religious leaders who have taken up the call for dialogue was Perak mufti Harussani Zakaria who made the request two days ago at the Muslim scholars' annual national convention in Ipoh.

Islamic organisation JIM, one of the groups which protested against the Article 11 forum in Penang, said last week that it was ready to hold dialogues with the coalition in order 'to resolve the problem.

Suaram and Hakam, two members of the Article 11 coalition, have welcomed the offer to hold dialogues.