Christians and Jews are dividing Muslims, says Jakim in Friday sermon

The Church of the Assumption in Lebuh Farquhar, Penang, that was hit by two Molotov cocktails recently. Jakim warned Muslims today that division was not only caused by a weak faith, but also because of instigation from Christians and Jews. – The Malaysian Insider pic, January 31, 2014.The Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) said today the division among Muslims is not only caused by a weak faith, but also because of the instigation of Christians and Jews as warned in the Quran.

In its Friday sermon, Jakim said that it was said in the Holy Book that the Christians and the Jews will try with all their might to "deceive" the Muslims to follow their wishes.

"Splits are always bad for the religion but the question is why are Muslims still engaging in disagreements although it is forbidden by Islam?

"It is not only in the weakness of the faith but also encouraged by the instigation of Islam's traditional enemies like the Jews and Christians, which never stops," said the sermon titled "Manhaj Islami Dalam Perpaduan Ummah”.

Jakim said because of the Muslims'negligence in not listening to Allah's reminders, it is not surprising that they continue to be misled by Islam's enemies.

When Islam is divided, their enemies are rejoicing in their victory in deceiving the Muslims, added Jakim.

"So it is not surprising when a Muslim is duped by an enemy of Islam. As a result, there is infighting among Muslims while our enemies laugh that they have managed to deceive Muslims who are ignorant about Allah's warnings.

"Aren't the Muslims always challenged? Isn't our dignity being made fun of? Aren't Muslim leaders being stigmatised? So what are we doing about it? Are we just going to be mere audiences or come out to defend the purity of Islam?"

Jakim also stressed that while Muslims today are being attacked by all sides, be it physically and spiritually, the only way to overcome it is through unity.

It said the lessons learnt from the Battle of Azhab which happened in the 5th year of the Hijrah also proved that the enemies would "use whatever possible way to ruin Muslims".

"At that time, Madinah was attacked from all directions but today we are being attacked in mind, politics, economy, social and more.

"The biggest lesson from the Ahzab war shows us that Muslims will definitely face attacks from our enemies to destroy us in any way they can," it said.

Jakim reminded Muslims to stay away from racism and also to avoid fulfilling the agendas of certain parties which can affect race relations and threaten the peace of the country.

It said when hostility occurs, it will be difficult to recover and that would be the time that those who are fighting would want to experience peace.

"Unity is a blessing that is priceless and has to be maintained and kept by the people of different races in this country.

"Imagine if there was a fight, it will spark off bigger fights which will bring about split and hostility. When that happens, then only the people will know how terrible and painful it is when the peace and harmony of the country is disturbed," Jakim said.

The religious department also called on Muslims to obey the leaders in the country as unity is linked to obedience to them.

Last weekend, the Jelutong Umno division lodged a police report on after provocative banners with the word "Allah" were hung around churches and a bus station in Penang.

Its chief Jasmin Noordin said the culprit was not the church but it was done by irresponsible parties who are bent on inciting religious tension among the Muslims and Christians.

The banners with the word "Allah is Great, Jesus is the son of Allah" were hung outside the Victory Lutheran Church, St John Britto Catholic Church, The Church of the Immaculate Conception and the Church of the Assumption and the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

In December, editor of Catholic weekly Herald Father Laurence Andrew said that Catholic churches in Selangor would continue to use the word "Allah" in their worship despite the fatwa by the Selangor Islamic Department (Jais) forbidding it.

He said that Article 11(3) (a) of the Federal Constitution explained that every religious group was entitled to manage their own religious matters.

As such, Andrew noted that Jais – as the state Islamic enforcement agency – had no powers over other religions.