Himpun, all odds already against apostates

Dear Yusri Mohamad,

I welcome your assurance that non-Muslims should not worry about the Himpun gathering. Yet, I find it difficult to understand the need for such a rally.

I have known you from the time you were a leader of Abim (Malaysian Islamic Youth Movement). As a former leader of the Hindu Youth Council's national movement, I have found Abim leaders quite supportive of interfaith activities.

Even you expressed your understanding of the problems faced by Hindus on unethical conversion, though you stood firm on apostasy. You assured that there are ways of solving by following procedures through discussion.

In spite of your assurance as organising chairman of the Himpun gathering on Saturday, Oct 22, you or the organisers have made accusations against another religion of converting Muslims.

Yusri, the Muslims are protected by the federal and state constitutions against proselytisation and preaching of any other religion.

You have the laws, a large budget, the zakat, the Islamic Department, the syariah courts, a majority Muslim-based administration officials; why do you need to hold a rally criticising another religion, and calling for new laws?

The non-Muslims have already become crippled with the constitutional changes of Article 121 with 121A in Parliament in 1988. The state Islamic enactments further crippled the non-Muslims.

The Muslim leaders must sit down and seriously research on the failures, if any, and stop finding fault with others.

As a former official of the Malaysian AIDS Council (MAC), I found that the victims, mostly Muslims, were not looked after so well by the respective religious departments. They called them to fill lengthy forms, given tokens very much later and their cases were hardly followed up.

The government gave reasonable grants to MAC, which were well-spent with the nation and affiliates benefitting. Pengasih, in my opinion, is the best Muslim-based organisation benefitting Muslim patients, but they just could not manage all due to many factors.

Pardon me, the weak people need love and care and not bashing. Knowing you reasonably well, I am confident that you will give a thought to my personal views.

The writer is former president of Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST).