Himpun defends rally, says not anti-Christian

Himpun co-chairman Dr Mohd Yusri Mohamed speaking to reporters at the Siasah 
headquarters in Kuala Lumpur October 20 2011.


KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 20 — The controversial “Himpunan Sejuta Umat” (Himpun) rally this Saturday is not an anti-Christian campaign, Himpun Secretariat leaders insisted today.

Dr Mohd Yusri Mohamed, the co-chairman of Himpun — set up to “defend Islam” and reject apostasy among Muslims — told reporters that recent apostasy cases necessitated the rally, at the PAS-linked tabloid Siasah’s headquaters.

“If you noticed, if there are no issues, no incidents, no episodes, we wouldn’t have this sort of reaction, we won’t bring this out of the blue.

“There are incidents recently in Malaysia that is worrisome about apostasy, and this is real,” he said.

Himpun, which claims to have the backing of some 2,000 NGOs representing over four million Muslims nationwide, was mooted after the controversial raid on the Damansara Utama Methodist Church (DUMC) and aims to protest against Christians “challenging the sovereignty” of Islam.

Yusri said when it comes to apostasy, the number of cases is not the yardstick for the seriousness of the issue.

“It’s not like as if you have to wait until there are hundreds of cases then only it is considered serious.

“As a Muslim, our religion clearly teaches us that even if there is one case of apostasy in public, which is known, and there are no actions taken, then we are all guilty,” he said.

Among others, Himpun focuses on issues related to the desertion of one’s religion.

The group is expected to issue a declaration urging that there be specific laws related to those who become apostates.

Yusri said Himpun hopes fill the 100,000-capacity stadium on Saturday.

“The most important part of our religion is defending the faith of a Muslim.

“We are doing this to ensure understanding among different religions and develop respect for those of different religions. I hope there will be no misunderstanding about this and it is not political,” he said.

The rally chief said no consensus have been reached as to what they will do after the end of the rally.

“We don’t know yet, we haven’t decided the direction of the declaration,” he said, emphasising the focus of the rally, which is protecting the Islamic faith.

PAS had said that disciplinary action will be taken against any party member spotted attending the event bearing PAS banners or logos and declaring themselves members of the party. However, the members can still attend in their capacity as NGO representatives.

“We respect PAS’ decision as a party to not get involved as a party but we are convinced that PAS members, as Muslims, will help us make this rally a success,” Yusri said.

With ethnic tensions rising in the years following the 2008 general election, the mass gathering could raise already simmering fears of Islamisation among non-Muslims and more liberal Malays.

Christian leaders have already voiced their uneasiness over the event, saying its objective to fight proselytisation is “irrelevant” as the authorities are yet to find concrete proof of such activities in the country.

They also reminded rally organisers that their actions could incite animosity between both religious communities, force Muslims and Christians further apart and hamper any effort by the government and religious leaders to promote understanding and harmony.

Following the DUMC church raid, the Selangor Sultan decreed there was insufficient evidence to prove that Christians were proselytising to Muslims at the church.