A coalition of Muslim groups today handed 701,822 signatures and a memorandum to endorse their call for the protection of the 'sanctity of Islam' to the Council of Rulers and Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

The coalition, which calls itself Pembela, submitted the documents to the Keeper of the Rulers' Seal Ungku Ibrahim Ungku Ngah at his office in Kuala Lumpur this morning.

At about 2.30pm, the 10-member delegation submitted the documents to Abdullah's political secretary Osman Desa in Putrajaya.

Pembela - which comprises more than 90 groups - was formed in response to the increasing public debate surrounding conversions from Islam and the position of the religion in the country.

Speaking to reporters, Pembela chairperson Yusri Mohamad - who also heads the Muslim Youth Movement of Malaysia (Abim) - said the signatures are only part of the coalition's on-going awareness campaign.

"Many more signatures are coming that have not yet arrived from various states and districts and from Sabah and Sarawak. We are certain the number will exceed one million," he added.

It is important that people realise this is not just for the 'narrow interests' of Muslims but also in the interest of non-Muslims, he said, in reference to maintaining peace and harmony in the country.

Meanwhile, Syariah Lawyers Association of Malaysia (PGSM) president Zainul Rijal Abu Bakar said the signatures reflected the representativeness of the coalition's advocacy.

"The public may have been confused previously as to who makes up the 'mainstream' Muslims. Who are the 'mainstream' Muslims? With more than 700,000 signatures today, we can say that we are the 'mainstream' Muslims.

"Any laws pertaining to Islam needs to be referred to 'mainstream' Muslims, not those marginal persons with vested interests or those given a voice in certain media, they say that they are mainstream," he said.

"We have sent this memorandum to the Council of Rulers because the council is not merely a symbol, but plays the role of protecting Malays, protecting the Islamic religion, protecting the beliefs, practice, and laws of Islam itself.

"We plea to the rulers to play a pro-active role in hearing the voices of the mainstream Muslims," he added.

Peace and stability

Community Development Foundation president Anuar Tahir said Pembela will continue to educate and increase the awareness of the public on the principle tenets and fundamentals of the Federal Constitution pertaining to the position of Islam.

He said this was important as these provisions in the laws that guarantee peace and stability between the various races and religions.

"There is no guarantee that there will be peace if these (tenets) are disturbed and threatened," he told reporters.

In the three-page memorandum, Pembela urged among others:

  • The Council of Rulers to 'firmly and strongly' protect the position of Islam.

  • The prime minister to act against those quarters who challenged that position and 'encourage aberrations' in Islamic beliefs.

  • Parliament to amend Article 11 pertaining to religious freedom in conformity with syariah laws and teachings.

  • Federal and state governments to legislate against the propagation of non-Islamic religions to Muslims.

  • Federal government to uphold Article 121(1A), which provides for the separation of civil and syariah courts.

  • The mainstream and alternative media to take a firm and just stand in issues pertaining to Islam.

  • The government to encourage inter-religious dialogues without overhauling the fundamental beliefs and values of the respective religions.