Selangor forms ‘faith-rescue unit’ for Muslims

Hasan urged Muslims considering Christian aid to turn to his office instead. — File pic

SHAH ALAM, Aug 26 — Selangor religious councillor Datuk Hasan Ali has set up a “faith-rescue unit”, or Unit Selamat Aqidah, to look into problems faced by Muslims that could expose them to risks of losing their religious conviction amid allegations of proselytisation in the state.


The PAS leader said his office was concerned about the issue of proselytisation as troubled Muslims could resort to help from other groups that might lead them away from Islam.

“This office takes a serious view of the negative perceptions of the state agencies, bodies and voluntary organisations that appear not to help solve the problems of this group of people.

“This office has taken the initiative to set up the Unit Selamat Aqidah, which, among others, is a service centre to accept complaints and applications to help reduce the burden of life of these people,” Hasan said in a statement

He said the unit will work with the Selangor Zakat Board and voluntary organisations concerned about the issue, adding the board will name officials who will process applications for aid.

“It is hoped that Muslims who have received or are thinking of receiving aid from churches or Christian organisations can come to the Islamic Affairs, Malay Culture, Infrastructure and Public Amenities Exco to give their details so that help can be provided immediately,” Hasan said.

The conservative Muslim leader assured such people that his office would help them to avoid being trapped in moves to make them apostates.

Pro-Umno newspapers have been highlighting alleged attempts by Christians to convert Muslims since the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais) raided an evangelical church in Petaling Jaya on August 3. Proselytising Muslims is an offence in Malaysia.

Umno-owned Utusan Malaysia also reported recently an allegation that underprivileged Muslims living in a squatter area near Old Klang Road were being proselytised by Christians under the guise of free English classes.

The tuition centre was subsequently shut down for purportedly not owning a valid permit.

Influential cleric Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin, however, said yesterday that Muslims should take care of their own poor instead of accusing Christians of proselytism when churches helped poor Muslims.

Tensions between Christians and Muslims have heightened after Jais swooped on the Damansara Utama Methodist Church (DUMC), on claims that it was investigating a complaint that Muslims were being converted at a dinner the church was hosting for a local NGO.

The Selangor state government met with Jais and representatives of the Harapan Komuniti NGO yesterday to resolve the debacle that has sparked attacks from both Muslims and Christians against the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) administration.