KINIGUIDE | Is this the end of 'Jom Ziarah'?

KINIGUIDE | “Projek Artikel 11” made the headlines on Monday when Bersatu leader Badrul Hisham Shaharin claimed it was a “Christian evangelist” programme.

What began as an endeavour to expose young minds to diverse religious practices has now possibly reached its end.

Malaysiakini understands that the initiative, which involved youth visiting houses of worship, will no longer proceed with this weekend’s scheduled programmes. 

This comes after Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh ordered for the programme to be handed over to the Unity Ministry.

In this instalment of KiniGuide, we take a quick look at the events that have transpired thus far. 

What is ‘Projek Artikel 11’?

“Projek Artikel 11” is a programme under part of Impact Malaysia’s #MalaysiaInklusif initiative, which was designed to increase awareness of the country’s diverse society.

Impact Malaysia is a youth-centric government agency under the purview of the Youth and Sports Ministry to spur youth-driven social impact through a multi-stakeholder working model. This includes communities, NGOs, civil society organisations, and philanthropic organisations.

Its initiative “Jom Ziarah” was aimed at helping youths learn about common values of religions practised in Malaysia and voluntarism activities run by religious groups, including visiting houses of worship.

Impact Malaysia vice-president for strategy and development Mastura M Rashid previously said these activities were held to allow youths to understand that all religions share some common values and organise welfare activities.

As of March 13, “Jom Ziarah” has brought eight Chinese and Indian youths to the Federal Territory Mosque on March 4 and three Chinese youths to the Gurdwara Sahib in Shah Alam on March 11.

Two programmes also scheduled were “Jom Ziarah Gereja” to visit the Church of Our Lady Lourdes in Klang and “Jom Ziarah Kuil Hindu” at the Shree Lakshmi Narayan temple in Kuala Lumpur on March 18 and 19 respectively. 

This weekend’s events, however, have been cancelled following backlash from certain quarters.

Posters promoting the previous programmes, as well as this weekend’s event, have been removed from Impact Malaysia’s social media.

Controversies 

On March 13, Bersatu politician Badrul Hisham Shaharin accused Impact Malaysia and Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh of using the “Jom Ziarah” programme as part of a “Christian evangelist” agenda.

This claim was denied by Impact Malaysia.

The following day, Yeoh addressed criticisms towards the programme stating that Muslim youths were not involved in visits to any non-Muslim houses of worship.

However, she told Dewan Rakyat that “Projek Artikel 11” would be handed over to the Unity Ministry from that day onwards.

Keeping to her word, in a circular to all Youth and Sports Ministry personnel dated March 15, Yeoh declared that several existing programmes under the ministry will be handed over to other ministries.

This includes “Projek Artikel 11”, read the circular sighted by Malaysiakini, which will be implemented by the Unity Ministry as well as The Islamic Development Department (Jakim).

“The list of programmes to be handed over to other ministries should be immediately referred to the Youth and Sports Ministry secretary-general (K Nagulendran) and decided in the next management meeting.

“This intention is to ensure that there is no duplication of the ministry’s programmes and functions,” it read.

It remains unclear what the Unity Ministry's plans are for the “Jom Ziarah” programme, if any. Its minister, Aaron Ago Dagang, declined to comment when contacted.

Malaysiakini understands, however, that the ministry has not received an official notice of the change.

Separately, Selangor Religious Affairs exco Mohd Zawawi Ahmad Mughni said state law has barred Muslims from entering non-Muslim houses of worship.

Additionally, the Selangor Islamic Religious Council (Mais) said that programmes made to persuade or influence any Muslim to tend to or interest in non-Muslim religions are prohibited in Selangor and go against state laws.

Mais chairperson Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof took note of the fact that the programme, which was originally open to everyone, is now being converted and limited to non-Muslim youths.

However, he lamented the fact that the amendments are not reflected in the brochures and advertisements being circulated online.

War of words

Meanwhile, both Yeoh and Badrul Hisham have lodged police reports against each other. The former was accused of allegedly proselytising Christianity to Muslim youth, and the latter of slander.

In responding to Badrul’s claims, Yeoh quoted precedents set by PAS leaders about Muslims visiting non-Muslim places of worship.

Directly calling out Bersatu for first raising the evangelism accusation against her, the minister advised those in Perikatan Nasional to check what their coalition partners have said on any topics before throwing allegations at anyone.

Meanwhile, Muda information chief Luqman Long said that interfaith programmes should be celebrated, not blocked - questioning if non-Muslims were allowed to visit mosques.

Earlier today, prime minister Anwar Ibrahim said that there will be zero tolerance towards any attempts to incite racial or religious sentiments in the country.

He said that issues, such as this, which may involve racial and religious sensitivities should be resolved through negotiations and discussions.

Zero tolerance for inciting racial, religious sentiments - Anwar

Mais: Programmes to interest Muslims in other religions illegal

Muda: Interfaith programmes should be celebrated, not blocked

S'gor exco: Events involving Muslims at non-Muslim places of worship barred

Takiyuddin claims Yeoh's citation of PAS interfaith visits lacked context

Youth Ministry to return programmes to others, reduce redundancy

Hit with Christian evangelism claims, Yeoh turns to PAS precedents