The coordinator of a soup kitchen accused of trying to convert its Muslim beneficiaries to Christianity has come forward to categorically deny the claim.

“We are not out to convert people. We are doing social work for anyone who needs it. I don’t know why such people would put it that way,” said Urban Food Sharing coordinator Yong Chen Keong.

Contacted today, Yong said the organisation, which is funded by private individuals and the Full Gospel Assembly Church, has operated in a back lane of Pudu, Kuala Lumpur, for 13 years without any hassle.

“This is the first time something like this is happening to us. Maybe it’s because it’s a hot topic now, and some people are getting political mileage.

“The authorities know about us. We are even registered with the National Anti-Drugs Agency (AADK) and the police are aware of our activities,” he said.

Yong added that no one was caring for the poor who come to them, and that they would “gladly withdraw if a government agency or someone else” steps in to help.

In an expose today, Malay-language daily Sinar Harian interviewed individuals claiming to be linked to such Christian-based soup kitchen programmes and they named the Urban Food Sharing programme as part of the movement to proselytise Muslims.

The individuals told the newspaper that the organisers provide food, clothing and lodging for the urban poor in Kuala Lumpur, while preaching their religion and using the word ‘Allah’ to confuse the recipients.

The trio also claim that the organisers make beneficiaries sign an indemnity form of sorts, saying that they had received the help voluntarily.

‘What is so wrong?’

Denying all this, Yong, who has been part of the Urban Food Sharing programme since day one, said that his team feeds up to 200 people every Saturday.

“They are children, wives deserted by husbands, old people deserted by their kids. What is so wrong about doing this? ” he asked, exasperated.

“We have volunteers who are Buddhists, Hindus, from many different religions who join us when they hear about our work. No one is converting anyone.”

While the team members are all volunteers, Urban Food Sharing has one full-time employee who takes care of their premises in Pudu during weekdays.

“We have a small room, with a fan where the beggars can come if it gets too difficult to sleep on the pathways. We even offer them a place to wash their clothes and provide simple meals. It is open to everybody,” Yong said.

He added that they also provide food to drug users, former prisoners and the jobless.

The Sinar Harian interview comes days before a planned anti-apostasy rally , called in response to claims of Christianisation efforts in the Damansara Utama Methodist Church.

The Selangor Islamic Affairs Department (Jais) had on Aug 3 searched the DUMC premises, where NGO Harapan Komuniti was hosting a thanksgiving dinner .

The NGO, which provides aid to those living with HIV/AIDS, has also been accused of providing care to Muslims in need, while at the same time converting them to Christianity.

The Jais report on the search, however, revealed that there was insufficient evidence to charge any party with wrongdoing.

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