Abim opposes Negri's 'divorce then convert' idea

 

Muslim NGO Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia (Abim) has opposed Negri Sembilan's plan to enforce a requirement for converts to Islam to first settle their divorce with the non-Muslim spouse.

"Abim oppose the said suggestion and instead repeat our stand that the syariah court should open its doors to non-Muslim couples to be heard and tried.

"The requirement for both parties to be Muslim (before going to shariah court) in the state enactment should be amended first," said Abim secretary general Muhammad Faisal Abdul Aziz in a statement today.

Citing the lengthy divorce process, he said the suggestion to make it mandatory for converts to first end their marriage with their non-Muslim spouse at the civil courts, would be an "obstacle to the individual to embrace Islam immediately".

Negri Sembilan Menteri Besar Mohamad Hasan said this week the suggestion was made to put an end to post-conversion issues with the non-Muslim partner.

The Negeri Sembilan law is the first attempt to provide solutions for interfaith custody disputes which continue to be a problem in the country.

One example of a couple embroiled in such tussle is S Deepa and Izwan Abdullah (above), who were married according to Hindu rites in 2003.

Izwan embraced Islam‎ in 2011, then converted his two children, including the six-year-old, allegedly without Deepa’s knowledge.

Divorce can be a lengthy process

Muhammad Faisal pointed out that many lengthy divorce processes, apart from alimony and the custody of the children, had many "disputed" cases which can prolong for years.

"So, the would be convert will be 'forced' to disregard his plans for years just to settle the divorce case first."

He added that it will get complicated when the spouse who wish not to convert is against the divorce.

"We are worried that this will be taken into account by the civil court judge on the principle of the civil divorce, whereby a change in religion would not necessarily be grounds for divorce.

"If this happens, will the person who wish to embrace Islam be prevented to convert according to the state law, which, clearly goes against freedom of religion as enshrined in the federal constitution?" he asked.

Meanwhile, Malaysian Human Rights Society (Hakam) president Ambiga Sreenevasan said the Negri Sembilan ruling is a good beginning and praised the state ruler for agreeing to it.

"It is a fantastic first step and they (Negeri Sembilan) have shown leadership which the federal government should have done," she told journalists in Kuala Lumpur today.

However, Ambiga cautioned that the details of the new rules must be scrutinised first to ensure that it will work as intended.

ABIM calls for Dr. Mahathir to retract statement on hudud law

(Astro Awani) – The Muslim Youth Movement of Malaysia (ABIM) is concerned with the statement made by Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohammad in regards to the implementation of the Kelantan Syariah Criminal Code Enactment II and has asked for the former Prime Minister to retract his statement and to repent.

“Tun Mahathir as a respected leader of an Islamic country should be more careful in voicing out his opinion in matters relating to the syariah law,” said ABIM president Amidi Abdul Manan in a statement.

He was referring to a statement made by Dr. Mahathir published by various media including Astro AWANI on Apr 17.

In his statement, Dr Mahathir urged the Kelantan government to re-evaluate its plan to implement the syariah criminal law hudud and qisas in the state by emphasising on justice.

Dr. Mahathir said hudud and qisas emphasised on the types of punishment and not about serving justice.

He said the punishment also varied for a Muslim and a non-Muslim.

Using theft as an example, Dr Mahathir said that a Muslim who steals would have his hand chopped off while a non-Muslim will only be sent to prison.

“Fair or not?” asked Dr. Mahathir.

According to Amidi, Dr Mahathir’s statement could create confusion where “it may seem that an Islamic punishment is unreasonable and cruel”.

He explained that the burden of proof under the hudud law is tougher compared to the criminal law under the civil system.

“The beauty of Islamic laws lies in its trial, justification and management,” added Amidi.

ABIM is of the opinion that the statement made by Dr. Mahathir emphasising on the punishment could create negative perception towards the hudud law.

It also said that the resistance showed by the Barisan Nasional (BN) and Pakatan Rakyat leaders may be due by the statement made by Dr. Mahathir.

The Kelantan state government took the step in response to the call made by the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom at the Dewan Rakyat recently where he said the Federal government is ready to support any state which aims to execute the hudud and qisas law.

The Bill is expected to be tabled at the Dewan Rakyat in June.

The technical committee of the Kelantan Syariah Criminal Code Enactment II is expected to provide explanation on the bill to all members of parliament before the tabling of the Bill.

DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng had earlier stated that the party’s stand on the implementation of the hudud law has not changed and he does not want the Kelantan government’s move to be exploited by BN.

Meanwhile, PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang had stressed that it would continue implementing the hudud law despite being opposed by Pakatan Rakyat as it “does not have an agreement with DAP and PKR” to not implement the Islamic law.

Ratusan berhimpun bantah kezaliman regim Bangladesh

NGO serah memo bantahan kezaliman Bangladesh

Memorandum diserahkan bagi membantah kezaliman kerajaan Bangladesh yang mengenakan hukuman gantung sampai mati kepada Penolong Setiausaha Agung Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh Abdul Quader Mulla
UPDATED

KUALA LUMPUR: Sebuah kumpulan – gabungan PAS, Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia (Abim), PKR dan persatuan mahasiswa menyerahkan satu memorandum bantahan kezaliman kerajaan Bangladesh berhubung hukuman gantung sampai mati kepada seorang pemimpin Islam di negara tersebut.

Penolong Setiausaha Agung Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh Abdul Quader Mullah dikenakan hukuman gantung sampai mati 11 Disember lalu setelah didapati bersalah oleh Tribunal Perang Antarabangsa atas tragedi pembunuhan perang kemerdekaan Bangladesh dari Pakistan pada tahun 1971.

Kumpulan seramai hampir 200 orang itu berarak lebih tiga kilometer sejurus selepas solat Jumaat dari Masjid Tabung Haji di sini hingga ke Pejabat Pesuruhjaya Tinggi Bangladesh.

Hampir 50 anggota polis ditugaskan bagi mengawal keadaan.

Kumpulan ini berhenti hampir 100 meter dari Pejabat Pesuruhjaya Tinggi Bangladesh setelah pihak polis melakukan sekatan.

Seramai 10 orang wakil kumpulan tersebut dibenarkan untuk menghantar memorandum mereka yang diketuai oleh Timbalan Presiden PAS Mohamad Sabu.

“Kami membantah tindakan membicarakan mereka yang digelar pengkhianat atas peristiwa yang berlaku pada tahun 1971 dan perbicaraan yang dijalankan tidak mengikut lunas undang – undang antarabangsa.

“Seorang telah dihukum gantung dan enam orang lagi bakal dikenakan hukuman sama. Ribuan lagi masih lagi ditahan dalam penjara,” kata Mohamad kepada wartawan sejurus selepas menyerahkan memorandum tersebut.

Mohamad menambah bahawa perkara ini seperti konspirasi global bagi menjatuhkan parti-parti Islam yang dilihat mula mendapat kemenangan dalam pilihan raya di negara masing-masing.

“Seperti di Algeria, kemenangan dinafikan. Di Tunisia, pemerintahan sering diganggu gugat. Ikhwan Muslimin yang dahulunya menang di Mesir kemudian dirampas kuasa dan kelmarin diisytiharkan sebagai pengganas oleh kerajaan Mesir.

“Dan di Bangladesh gerakan Jemaah Islamiah yang cuba masuk dalam proses demokrasi melalui pilihan raya tetapi pemimpin mereka diambil tindakan. Kita lihat ini konspirasi global terutama oleh Amerika Syarikat dan negara-negara Arab seperti Arab Saudi dan Qatar yang tiada pilihan raya dilihat cuba menganggu proses demokrasi terutamanya di Mesir,” tegas Mohamad.

Mohamad menambah konspirasi ini seperti menutup ruang demokrasi kepada gerakan dan parti-parti Islam di negara-negara Islam.

“Kita nampak seperti gerakan Islam dan parti Islam dipaksa bertindak jalan di luar pilihan raya.Ini yang kita tidak mahu sebab kita memilih proses pilihan raya dan proses demokrasi.

“Di Malaysia pun begitu juga. Walaupun proses demokrasi itu tidak sempurna tapi kita tetap mahu demokrasi dan berlawan melalui sistem demokrasi,” tegasnya.

Kumpulan tersebut bersurai secara aman pada jam 3.40 petang tadi.

Cut ties with Vatican to stem 'Allah' row, says Abim

The Malaysian Islamic Youth Movement (Abim) has urged Malaysia to severe diplomatic ties with the Vatican to pre-empt the speculated appointment of a more hardline bishop to defend the 'Allah' issue.

A source close to the Catholic Church had told Malaysiakini that Bishop Murphy Pakiam's (right) resignation on Dec 6 was promptly accepted by the Vatican, perhaps reflecting disappointment with Pakiam's softer stance on the Allah issue.

The editor of Catholic publication The Herald, Rev Lawrence Andrew, has however dismissed such talk.

"If a vocal and aggressive bishop is chosen (according to Vatican demands) it will spark a conflict between the parties involved (Muslims and Catholics).

"Therefore, Abim weighs seriously the direct involvement of the Vatican in the choosing Malaysia’s bishop.

"The attitude of the Vatican in this case is regretted, because it completely ignores the sensitivities of the Muslim community in this country," Abim president Amidi Abd Manan said in a statement today.
Pakiam had tendered his resignation as the Archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur on Dec 6 on his 75th birthday, as he reached retirement age. But some were alarmed at how fast the Vatican accepted his resignation.

Rev Lawrence Andrew however dismissed talk that Vatican would suddenly intervene in the ‘Allah’ row issue, noting that it has been on-going since the 1970s. The legal dispute over the use of the term ‘Allah’ between The Herald and the government of Malaysia, he also pointed out, was raised during Pakiam’s time as Archbishop.

In July, Jalur Tiga (Jati) president Hasan Ali, Perkasa’s Ibrahim Ali and other Muslim NGOs had also urged a review of the Vatican embassy in Malaysia. The embassy was set up in January this year, in a follow- up to Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak’s visit to Rome in 2011 to meet the Pope.

Muslim NGOs were irked by the Holy See’s embassy after its envoy Joseph Marino was reported standing behind the local Catholic church for championing the right of Christians to use the world ‘Allah’ to refer to God. He later apologised for this remark.

‘Allah’ is used in the Bahasa Malaysia versions of the Bible, especially by Christians in Sabah and Sarawak as the mostly bumiputera congregation there worship in Bahasa Malaysia.

The Home Ministry has however banned peninsula Malaysia-based publication The Herald from using it.

Abim pandang berat polemik video perbualan penyembelihan lembu korban di sekolah - Muhammad Faisal Abdul Aziz

Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia (ABIM) memandang berat penyebaran video rakaman perbualan seorang penganut Hindu dengan guru besar sebuah sekolah (mengenai penyembelihan lembu korban di sekolah) yang heboh diperkatakan semenjak kebelakangan ini.

ABIM menilai penyebaran video tersebut sebagai satu usaha yang boleh menimbulkan ketegangan serta merangsang polemik agama serta perkauman yang tidak diingini.

Justeru, ABIM berpandangan ia sebagai percubaan untuk memburukkan hubungan antara agama di Malaysia. Selain dari itu, ia juga mencemar institusi pendidikan yakni sekolah yang seharusnya dihormati.

Sekolah sebagai sebuah institusi pendidikan mempunyai kedudukan yang tinggi dalam masyarakat dan perlu diberi dokongan sepenuhnya.

Sekiranya berlaku perkara yang tidak wajar, teguran secara terhormat perlu diberikan bukan dengan biadab serta menggunakan saluran media tidak rasmi.

Semangat berkorban adalah semangat yang mulia di sisi agama Islam. Pengorbanan yang digambarkan dalam kisah Nabi Ibrahim dan Nabi Ismail adalah pengorbanan bagi menegakkan ketaatan berasaskan kebenaran.

Ia tiada kena mengena dengan apa-apa tujuan untuk menghina mana-mana agama.

Seharusnya seluruh masyarakat menghayati kisah ini dan diterjemahkan menerusi semangat perpaduan yang juga turut menuntut pengorbanan.

Bagi memastikan semua agama dan bangsa dapat berkongsi negara Malaysia ini maka pengorbanan yang berteraskan semangat perlembagaan mesti dihayati.

Bagi merealisasikan hasrat ini, sekolah adalah tempat yang terbaik. Sekolah perlu untuk memahamkan pelajar secara langsung menerusi aktiviti di dalam kelas mahupun di luar kelas semangat perlembagaan ini.

Setiap pelajar mesti menerima reality perlembagaan seperti yang telah termaktub sejak sekian lama.

ABIM yakin dengan kemesraan dan keramahan yang wujud dalam masyarakat, anasir penggugat perpaduan dapat diketepikan.

Kepelbagaian dan kerencaman agama, bangsa, dan budaya akan dapat disatukan dalam bingkai kesatuan sekiranya semua pihak memainkan peranan masing-masing. – 21 Oktober, 2013.

* Muhammad Faisal Abdul Aziz merupakan Setiausaha Agung Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia.

* Ini adalah pendapat peribadi penulis dan tidak semestinya mewakili pandangan The Malaysian Insider.

ABIM: Tak jadi kesalahan ibadah korban di sekolah

Ucapan Pimpinan ABIM Era 70-an dan 80-an

Ramai di kalangan pimpinan ABIM yang masuk PAS antaranya Almarhum Ustaz Fadzil Nor (mantan Presiden PAS), Dato’ Seri Tuan Guru Presiden PAS Abdul Hadi Awang (bekas Pengerusi ABIM Terengganu), Mohamad Sabu, Ustaz Abdul Ghani Shamsudin, Husam Musa, Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man, Ustaz Abu Bakar Chik (sekarang AJK PAS Pusat), Ustaz Muhammad Mustafa, Ustaz Mohd Daud Iraqi dan ramai lagi.

Bekas pimpinan ABIM yang telah ke Umno antaranya Anwar Ibrahim (sekarang Ketua Umum PKR), Kamaruddin Mohd Nor, Fuad Hassan (bekas ADUN Hulu Klang), Roslan Kassim, Kamaruddin Jaafar (sekarang PAS), Sanusi Junid, Fauzi Rahman, Zambry Abdul Kadir, dan ramai lagi..

Bekas pimpinan ABIM yang telah menyertai PKR ialah antaranya Dr Muhammad Nur Manuty, Dr Badrulamin Bahron, Anuar Tahir (sekarang PAS), Mustafa Kamil Ayub dan Fauzi Rahman (sebelumnya Umno, anak Rahman Talib)

Video di bawah ini pula adalah “Mengenali Anwar Ibrahim melalui sahabat-sahabat beliau yang telah lama bersamanya sejak dari Abim mahupun Umno.

PAS, Abim condemn French magazine

PAS Ulama council deputy chairman Dr Mahfodz Mohamed says the publication of cartoons of Prophet Muhammad is disrespectful to Islam.

PETALING JAYA: PAS Ulama council deputy chairman Dr Mahfodz Mohamed condemned the publication of cartoons of Prophet Muhammad in a French magazine.

“Their actions are so disrespectful. Never have we done such acts. We believe in the same lineage of prophets too,” said Mahfodz.

He was commenting on French satirical magazine, Charlie Hebdo, that published caricatures, among others, entitled “Mohammad: A Star is Born” that portrayed a bearded figure crouching over to display his buttocks.

The publishers of the magazine claimed that it is an attempt to poke fun at the American movie, “Innocence of Muslims”, that had triggered an uproar among Muslims worldwide.

“I am afraid that the Middle East would be in further chaos,” said Mahfodz who is also Johor PAS commissioner.

There has been an ongoing series of protests in Muslim countries ever since the American movie was released last week.

“We are lucky to be able to hold peaceful protests in Malaysia. In Johor, it will be held at Masjid Taman Perling, Johor Baru,” he said.

Muslim youth organisation, Malaysian Islamic Youth Movement (Abim), wants the French government to curb freedom of speech and media freedom.

“The French authorities need to be more sensitive. Last week a magazine published topless photos of the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, and now it is this,” said Abim secretary-general Mohd Raimi Abdul Rahim.

On Abim’s next action, Raimi said: “We will send a protest memorandum to the French Embassy.”

Islamist group backs JAIS action

"Kita bersama Hasan walaupun dia orang PAS jika terbukti dakwaannya itu benar," kata ketua wiranya.

VIDEO INSIDE - FMT

KUALA LUMPUR: Pertubuhan Pribumi Perkasa (Perkasa) hari ini membuat laporan polis menggesa siasatan dakwaan wujudnya usaha memurtadkan orang Islam dijalankan.

Ketua Wira Perkasa Malaysia Irwan Fahmi Idris membuat laporan itu di Ibu Pejabat Daerah (IPD) Dang Wangi kira-kira 2.30 petang tadi.

Irwan dalam laporannya mahu dakwaan Jabatan Agama Islam Selangor (Jais) mengenai usaha untuk memurtadkan orang Islam secara halus iaitu dengan menawarkan bantuan untuk meringankan beban hidup disiasat dengan segera.

Ini berikutan serbuan Jais terhadap satu majlis makan malam di Gereja Methodist Damansara Utama di Petaling Jaya 3 Ogos lalu.

Selain itu, beliau juga mahu agar laporan akhbar Harian Metro dalam temubualnya yang melaporkan salah seorang Muslim mendedahkan mereka diberi Bible dalam bahasa Melayu disiasat.

Katanya, sungguhpun Artikel 11(1) memberikan kebebasan beragama, tetapi masih ada batasnya seperti di Selangor wujud Enakmen Agama Bukan Islam 1988.

Dalam enakmen itu menyebut menjadi satu kesalahan sekiranya seseorang memujuk, mempengaruhi, atau menghasut seorang Islam untuk cenderung kepada agama bukan Islam, atau menjadi pengikut atau ahli agama bukan Islam atau meninggalkan atau membelakangi agama Islam.

Gesa bertindak

“Saya amat mengharapkan pihak berkuasa mengambil tindakan tegas sebelum nasi menjadi bubur.
“Cukupkah dengan beberapa orang yang yang telah dimurtadkan secara berani seperti Aishah Bukhari, Azlina Jailani (Lina Joy) dan sebagainya,” katanya ketika ditemui pemberita diluar perkarangan IPD Dang Wangi.

Sementara itu, beliau turut mempertahankan pendirian Exco Hal Ehwal Agama Islam, Adat Melayu, Infrastruktur dan Kemudahan Awam Selangor Datuk Dr Hasan Ali mengenai serbuan Jais itu.

Katanya, sebagai badan bukan kerajaan (NGO) akan terus menyokong tidak kira parti politik mana pun jika ia menyentuh hal ehwal agama dan kedaulatan Melayu.

“Kita bersama Hasan Ali walaupun dia orang PAS jika terbukti dakwaannya itu benar,” katanya.

Hasan dalam kenyataannya minggu lalu berkata pemeriksaan itu dilakukan selepas Jais memperoleh bukti wujudnya percubaan untuk memurtadkan 12 umat Islam yang menghadiri majlis itu.

Abim demands Najib clarify stand on Bibles

KUALA LUMPUR, March 11 — Citing fears of apostasy among Muslims, the Malaysian Islamic Youth Movement (Abim) has called for Datuk Seri Najib Razak to verify the claim by Christian groups that the prime minister has said that there is no ban on Malay-language Bibles.

The Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM) said yesterday that Najib had confirmed that there was an order to release 5,000 Bibles being held in Port Klang.
“As the chief executive of this country, any statement reflects the stand and policy of the government.

“In this context, the claim by CFM appears to say that the government has agreed to the distribution of Malay-language Bibles despite no official public notice,” said Abim secretary-general Mohamad Raimi Ab Rahim.

He added that any enactment governing the spread of other religions to Muslims must be adhered to and respected.

Mohamad Raimi asked the prime minister to clarify the matter to avoid any misunderstanding that can disrupt racial harmony.

The Home Ministry’s move to hold 35,000 Bibles worth at least RM78,000 in the ports of Klang and Kuching has angered Christians in Malaysia.

They have lashed out at the federal government for what they see as a systematic move to deny their religious rights enshrined in the country’s highest law.

The CFM, which represents 90 per cent of churches here, demanded yesterday that the government immediately release all Bibles detained.

In a statement today, Abim said it viewed seriously CFM’s claim that Najib had agreed to the unrestricted distribution of the Bibles in Sabah and Sarawak.

“Abim takes the view that freedom of religion should not overstep the provisions of the federal constitution where Islam is the official religion of the federation.”

The influential Muslim group also called for the dispute to be resolved through closed-door discussions between religious leaders and for parties involved not to apply undue pressure on the authorities due to the sensitive nature of the issue.

Muslim-majority Malaysia has a Christian community that makes up nearly 10 per cent of the 28 million population, with the biggest numbers based in Sarawak and Sabah, where the main language used by the Bumiputeras in churches is Bahasa Malaysia.