Influential cleric Harussani Zakaria, the Perak mufti and the person who proposed the introduction of an anti-apostasy law, is one of the main speakers to this Saturday’s symbolic Himpunan Sejuta Umat (A million people gathering).
The event’s co-chairperson Dr Yusri Mohamad said that besides Harussani, he and co-chairperson Mohd Azmi Abdul Hamid, who is also the Malaysian Islamic Consultative Council chairperson, will also deliver speeches.
“Harussani is one of the speakers slated to deliver his address at the gathering, where we hope to attract more than 100,000 people nationwide to come to the Shah Alam stadium,” said Yusri.
“Besides representatives from the non-governmental organisations, Indonesian religious scholar Yusuf Mansur will also deliver a talk. However, Senator Ezam Mohd Nor and Bandar Kulim Baru MP Zulkifli Nordin are not among the listed speakers although we invited all non-governmental organisations to participate,” he told Malaysiakini.
Harussani (right) was the person who proposed the formation of an anti-apostasy law to punish those responsible for Muslims leaving the religion. The Perak cleric said its formation is vital, following apostasy being described as a virus affecting Muslims.
The Perak mufti’s idea was supported by various religious scholars including Kelantan mufti Mohamad Shukri Mohamad, who recently commented on enforcement to preserve the belief of Muslims.
The four-hour gathering beginning at 2pm is aimed at preserving “the belief of the ummat”.
More than 29 NGOs have confirmed participation in the gathering, and among them are Gabungan Penasyid Malaysia (Malaysia religious singers group), Allied Coordinating Committee of Muslim NGOs, and Persatuan Ulama Malaysia (Malaysian Religious Scholars Association).
Yusri added that the gathering is non-partisan and it sought to seek the support of all Muslims against those resorting to change their faith.
“That is why we have also invited PAS Youth, Umno Youth and Wanita Umno to participate. We welcome Muslims from all walks of life to attend,” he said.
How many have renounced Islam?
When asked how many former Muslims were there who had renounced the religion, Yusri said he cannot remember off hand, but said this is cited in an Utusan Malaysia report today.
According to Muslim convert and scholar Mohd Ridhuan Tee Abdullah (left) in hisUtusan Malaysia column today, statistics show that 168 applications were approved for people to renounce the religion.
“According to another source there are 685 applications, of which 135 had been approved. Sabah is the highest with 67 and this is followed by Negri Sembilan with 33,” he said.
Harussani was also reported in 2008 as saying that the number of Muslims in Malaysia who renounced Islam was 260,000.
Yesterday, Bernama quoted Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin wanting the various state Islamic councils to discuss together on the proposal to have an anti-apostasy law.
Muhyiddin said the power is with the state governments to enact laws not to allow non-Muslims to spread their religion to Muslims.
“Whatever punishment which is to be made must be agreed to by all... if not it would create problems. From what I know there are states which already have existing enactments to prevent non-Muslims from spreading their religion.”
“If there is unison among the states, the law should be formulated so it would not conflict with the powers of the federal government,” said the deputy prime minister.
‘Explain the present situation’
Yusri added that the objective of the event is to explain the actual scenario and not what was reported in the media, and also to evaluate the unity of Muslims following the Aug 3 incident at the Damansara Utama Methodist Church.
He said it is also to inform society of the need for religious debate and not allow the matter to be politicised. It is also to strengthen Muslim belief, to create awareness over the provisions in the federal constitution and for the palace to be given a role to resolve it.
“The main theme of the event is to focus on efforts to convert Muslims to Christianity, its effect and challenges in a multi-racial society,” he said, adding that the event would have nasyid (religious songs) performances and would conclude with the drafting of a joint declaration.
The event’s co-chairperson Dr Yusri Mohamad said that besides Harussani, he and co-chairperson Mohd Azmi Abdul Hamid, who is also the Malaysian Islamic Consultative Council chairperson, will also deliver speeches.
“Harussani is one of the speakers slated to deliver his address at the gathering, where we hope to attract more than 100,000 people nationwide to come to the Shah Alam stadium,” said Yusri.
“Besides representatives from the non-governmental organisations, Indonesian religious scholar Yusuf Mansur will also deliver a talk. However, Senator Ezam Mohd Nor and Bandar Kulim Baru MP Zulkifli Nordin are not among the listed speakers although we invited all non-governmental organisations to participate,” he told Malaysiakini.
Harussani (right) was the person who proposed the formation of an anti-apostasy law to punish those responsible for Muslims leaving the religion. The Perak cleric said its formation is vital, following apostasy being described as a virus affecting Muslims.The Perak mufti’s idea was supported by various religious scholars including Kelantan mufti Mohamad Shukri Mohamad, who recently commented on enforcement to preserve the belief of Muslims.
The four-hour gathering beginning at 2pm is aimed at preserving “the belief of the ummat”.
More than 29 NGOs have confirmed participation in the gathering, and among them are Gabungan Penasyid Malaysia (Malaysia religious singers group), Allied Coordinating Committee of Muslim NGOs, and Persatuan Ulama Malaysia (Malaysian Religious Scholars Association).
Yusri added that the gathering is non-partisan and it sought to seek the support of all Muslims against those resorting to change their faith.
“That is why we have also invited PAS Youth, Umno Youth and Wanita Umno to participate. We welcome Muslims from all walks of life to attend,” he said.
How many have renounced Islam?
When asked how many former Muslims were there who had renounced the religion, Yusri said he cannot remember off hand, but said this is cited in an Utusan Malaysia report today.
According to Muslim convert and scholar Mohd Ridhuan Tee Abdullah (left) in hisUtusan Malaysia column today, statistics show that 168 applications were approved for people to renounce the religion.“According to another source there are 685 applications, of which 135 had been approved. Sabah is the highest with 67 and this is followed by Negri Sembilan with 33,” he said.
Harussani was also reported in 2008 as saying that the number of Muslims in Malaysia who renounced Islam was 260,000.
Yesterday, Bernama quoted Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin wanting the various state Islamic councils to discuss together on the proposal to have an anti-apostasy law.
Muhyiddin said the power is with the state governments to enact laws not to allow non-Muslims to spread their religion to Muslims.
“Whatever punishment which is to be made must be agreed to by all... if not it would create problems. From what I know there are states which already have existing enactments to prevent non-Muslims from spreading their religion.”
“If there is unison among the states, the law should be formulated so it would not conflict with the powers of the federal government,” said the deputy prime minister.
‘Explain the present situation’
Yusri added that the objective of the event is to explain the actual scenario and not what was reported in the media, and also to evaluate the unity of Muslims following the Aug 3 incident at the Damansara Utama Methodist Church.
He said it is also to inform society of the need for religious debate and not allow the matter to be politicised. It is also to strengthen Muslim belief, to create awareness over the provisions in the federal constitution and for the palace to be given a role to resolve it.
“The main theme of the event is to focus on efforts to convert Muslims to Christianity, its effect and challenges in a multi-racial society,” he said, adding that the event would have nasyid (religious songs) performances and would conclude with the drafting of a joint declaration.
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