NOW THIS IS ISLAM! Sisters in Islam condemn govt for defending Ibrahim Ali

Sisters in Islam (SIS) supports the Global Movement of Moderates Foundation (GMM) position that Ibrahim Ali’s call to “burn the bible” is indefensible, and cannot be justified as defending Islam. In any attempt to do so, Muslims are enjoined to abide by the Quranic injunctions to respond with wisdom and without insulting others (An-Naĥl:125; Al-'An`ām:108).

By defending Ibrahim Ali, the government is indicating that any type of aggressive behaviour, threats and indeed public incitement are acceptable in the name of ‘defending Islam’.

If the reverse was done and an individual or group called on the public to burn the Quran, it is doubtful that the government would have been so generous. This is evident in its recalcitrance to return the eight Christian CDs to Jill Ireland, or in refusing to enforce the return of the bibles seized from the Bible Society of Malaysia (BSM).

Defending the sanctity of Islam does not mean denigrating other religions. Muslims can defend Islam by promoting the values taught in the Quran in that Islam is not a religion of violence or compulsion. Any acts of disrespect or intimidation by any group in Malaysia should be condemned, as there is no place for religious hatred, extremism and chauvinism in our country.

Ibrahim Ali

SIS supports any efforts towards religious understanding and calls for unity. Justice and human egalitarianism are values stressed in the Quran and should be achieved. Defending Ibrahim Ali’s actions as a way to defend Islam represents a setback in achieving justice and equality.

Sisters in Islam