Christian leaders say Himpun’s fight ‘irrelevant’

By Clara Chooi

October 19, 2011

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 19 — Christian leaders here have labelled Himpun’s fight against proselytisation “irrelevant” and cautioned the group against provoking religious tension by going ahead with this Saturday’s rally of a million Muslims.

The leaders 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.

“I think it is very unnecessary because to a very large extent, everyone knows there is no concrete proof of proselytisation,” National Evangelical Christian Fellowship (NECF) chairman Rev Dr Eu Hong Seng (picture) told The Malaysian Insider.

Eu pointed out the Selangor Sultan had already decreed recently there was insufficient evidence of proselytisation in the controversy surrounding the raid on the Damansara Utama Methodist Church (DUMC) on August 3.

Himpun or Himpunan Sejuta Umat (Gathering of a Million Faithful), which claims to have the backing of some 2,000 NGOs representing over four million Muslims nationwide, was mooted after the incident and aims to protest against Christians “challenging the sovereignty” of Islam.

The rally, to take place at the Shah Alam stadium, appears to have earned the support of thousands, including PAS Youth members, and looks set to turn into a massive coming together of conservative Muslims in the country.

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.

“But there is no evidence of proselytisation, nothing to say that anyone is targeting any particular group. Perhaps only individuals making their own decisions on their faith so you cannot really police them. To me, this issue is irrelevant,” Eu said.

He went a step further and agreed the authorities should attempt to discourage the gathering, expressing concern that Himpun’s cause could wreck religious harmony.

Council of Churches Malaysia (CCM) president Rev Dr Thomas Phillips however disagreed with calling the rally off, saying every individual in the country reserves the right to freedom of speech and assembly.

But he agreed the rally’s purpose was irrelevant, echoing Eu’s view proselytisation in Malaysia was a non-issue.

“If anything, the country has enough laws governing proselytisation. So if there is any evidence of conversion taking place, let the authorities deal with it,” he told The Malaysian Insider.

Among others, Himpun plans to produce a declaration at the conclusion of the rally, seeking for the enactment of new laws allowing individuals found guilty of proselytisation to Muslims to be punished.

Phillips said Himpun’s groups should instead take a more conciliatory approach to the matter by laying their grouses to Christian leaders in discussions, instead of rallying millions to stage a protest.

“It is not going to solve anything... here, we need to bridge the gaps between the religious communities, we need to heal and move on. We have to be responsible in our statements. If they have wishes, they could meet with the various groups,” he said.

Phillips, who is also the Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST) president, agreed the gathering could raise tempers and provoke religious tension between those of different faiths.

“We have a healthy, democratic society where everyone has a right to express their feelings but we need to be careful in what we say and do and our intentions must be made clear,” he said.