Shahidan wants authorities to 'hunt' Muslims joining atheist groups

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Shahidan Kassim urged religious authorities to "hunt" Muslims involved in atheist groups.

Shahidan said he will make the proposal to the relevant authorities including the mufti offices, which he said is in the interest of Islam.

"I would like to propose that we go all out to hunt them... help us to identify these groups.

"Secondly, we need to bring them back and fix their faith if they are Muslims," he told a press conference in Parliament today.

Shahidan believed that these Muslims were not trying to become atheists but merely lacked understanding in their own religion.

The government's sudden interest in atheist groups was sparked by a gathering of the Malaysian chapter of Vancouver-based Atheist Republic.

Rizal Mansor, an aide to the prime minister's wife Rosmah Mansor, had described the movement as a plagueand warned that they may become emboldened like the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transexual groups.

Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki also said the government will investigate any Muslim involvement in the group.

Shahidan warned that proper attention should be given to the matter.

"So the mufti and state exco (in charge of religion) should give proper attention even though their numbers are small.

"The approach must be prudent, don't do it in such a way that could gain them sympathy and turn them popular," he said. - Mkini