KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 6 — PAS Youth No. 2 Nik Abduh Nik Abdul Aziz said today that Islam frowns on raids on any house of worship unless there is concrete proof under the law.
The son of prominent Islamic scholar Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat was responding to the public outrage triggered by the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais) raid on the Damansara Utama Methodist Church (DUMC) last Wednesday which disrupted its multiracial dinner function.
“From an Islamic perspective, there can be no violation of houses of worship, including churches, unless by right of the law and there must be strong proof, only then can [raids] be carried out,” Nik Abduh told The Malaysian Insider.
He stressed that even if there is strong evidence to prove that Muslims were being converted, the action must abide by the law and urged for all houses of worship to be treated with respect.
Nik Abduh’s view echoed his party colleague Selangor PAS deputy chief Khalid Samad’s remarks yesterday.
“Places of worship — regardless of religion — must be respected; this comes from the teachings of Prophet Mohammed (PBUH). Going into a place without a warrant or permission is something that must be avoided entirely, more so in a place of worship,” the Shah Alam MP said.
Khalid pointed out that while the country’s official religion is Islam, non-Muslims must also feel safe, saying: “For PAS, we want [Jais] to let them feel safe by showing utmost respect.”
A raiding party of between 20 and 30 Jais officers had teamed up with the police to enter and search DUMC in Petaling Jaya late last Wednesday after receiving a complaint alleging Christians were proselytising to Muslims during a multiracial dinner to celebrate a community group’s work helping HIV and AIDS sufferers.
There were some 100 guests of different colours and creeds present.
The enforcement authorities are said to have nabbed 12 Muslims who attended the dinner and are investigating them under syariah laws.
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