Prominent Muslim cleric Asri Zainul Abidin slammed PAS leader Hasan Ali for underestimating the strength of Muslims' faith after Hasan expressed fears a day ago that followers of Islam could be proselytized by Christians using high-tech devices.
Asri, the former Perlis mufti, also flayed Hasan for suggesting that the Bible's influence surpassed that of the al-Quran
"It is an insult to Muslims and the Islamic faith. As if Muslims who listen to Bible readings would eventually be swayed," Asri said in a statement out on Friday.
8 ways to lure Muslims
The controversial Hasan had been responding to a query from Umno Sungai Burung assemblyman about what the Selangor state government was doing to stop Muslims from being proselytized by Christians.
Hasan told the Selangor state assembly that there were currently 8 ways that Muslims were being lured away from Islam. One of these a solar-powered "hand-held audio Bible" used to spread Christianity.
According to Hasan, the Umno-controlled state religious department or JAIS had discovered the audio device while conducting research on Muslim apostasy in the state.
The other ways included offering financial aids to marginalized groups such as single mothers and the handicapped. Neither Hasan nor JAIS offered any explanation why they could not trump the assistance allegedly given by the Christians.
Talk is cheap, Hasan
Hasan's comments sparked indignant retorts from Christian leaders.
"Talk is cheap. Where is the proof. There are more than ample laws to punish those that try to proselytize Muslims so if Hasan Ali has evidence, put it on show. Don't just accuse, that is hardly fair," Rev Thomas Philips, the vice chairman of inter-faith group MCCBCHST, told Malaysia Chronicle.
“I find it amusing this man can carry on with impunity the way he has the last few months - that is, continually spawning gratuitous fear among Muslims that their faith is in danger of subversion from Christians,” said Bishop Paul Tan, the head of the Catholic Church in the Malacca-Johor diocese.
Malaysia Chronicle
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