Not right to preach Islam in other places of worship: Interfaith group

An interfaith group has firmly rebuffed the idea expressed by Terengganu Mufti Mohamad Sabri Haron that Muslims are permitted to enter non-Muslim places of worship to spread Islam.

In a statement last night, the Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST) reminded him that non-Muslim places of worship are places for devotees to gather and pray according to their respective beliefs and practices. 

“Article 11 of the Federal Constitution gives the right to every religious group to profess and practice religion and, subject to Clause (4), to propagate it. 

“Clause (4) allows state law and federal law ‘to control and restrict the propagation of any religious doctrine or belief among persons professing the religion of Islam’. 

“Thus, Clause (4) provides a legal shield to Muslims in that propagation of other faiths to them may be controlled or restricted.

“Clause (4) cannot be interpreted to mean that Muslims are free to propagate their faith to non-Muslims as there is no such provision in the Constitution.

“Clause (4) talks about the protection of ‘persons professing the religion of Islam’. It does not talk about preaching in non-Muslim places of worship,” said the group.

Enter only to preach

The group was responding to the mufti, who was quoted by news portal Focus as saying “Muslims are permitted to enter places of worship of other religions to spread Islam, its teachings and principles”.

Sabri further added that Muslims could only go to non-Muslim places of worship if their purpose was to introduce Islam to non-Muslims and to preach, that is to proselytise.

“The Terengganu mufti’s claim that Muslims are permitted to enter places of worship of other religions to preach Islam may affect the sanctity of non-Muslim places of worship and thus create a hostile atmosphere which may lead to disturbance of peace.

“The mufti’s suggestion can further lead to feelings of ill will, disharmony, hatred, enmity, etc among the different religions,” said the group.

The MCCBCHST statement was jointly signed by its president Dao Zhang Tan Hoe Chieow, vice-president Archbishop Julian Leow, vice-president Venerable Chuan Yuan, vice-president Ganesh Babu Rao, and vice-president Sardar Jagir Singh.

The group said that any unauthorised entry into a non-Muslim place of worship to propagate Islam to other faiths may be an offence under the following sections of the Penal Code.

(i) Section 298 - Wounding the religious feelings of any person or group.

(ii) Section 298A - Causing disharmony, disunity or feelings of enmity, hatred or ill will or prejudicing, etc the maintenance of harmony or unity, on grounds of religion.

(iii) Section 505(c) - Statement likely to incite persons to commit offence.

Adhere to correct interpretation of laws

“The MCCBCHST therefore calls upon the Terengganu mufti to respect the rights of all persons and adhere to the correct interpretation of the Federal Constitution and Malaysian laws. 

“All places of worship are places of sanctity. Each religion has the right to regulate its own affairs. 

“If the purpose of entry to a place of worship is with a view to fostering unity and promoting interfaith relations and understanding then it should be welcomed. 

“But if the purpose of the visit is to propagate one’s own faith at another faith’s place of worship, then it becomes offensive and may affect the sanctity of the place of worship and cause disharmony. 

“Every religious group has the right to forbid any other religious group from propagating their faiths at their place of worship,” said the MCCBCHST.

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