Sisters in Islam has urged the government to abandon the proposed 'syariah police' force to battle Shiism, as the proposal contradicts the moderation that government preaches to the world.
"We do not believe a punitive approach to monitor Muslims and how they practise their faith is the wisest way forward for a country that claims to lead a global movement of moderates," said the NGO in a statement today.
SIS was referring to Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's 2012 launching of the Global Movement of Moderates (right).
"Ostensibly, the 'syariah police' is supposed to combat the spread of Shiite teachings.
"We do not believe a punitive approach to monitor Muslims and how they practise their faith is the wisest way forward for a country that claims to lead a global movement of moderates," said the NGO in a statement today.
SIS was referring to Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's 2012 launching of the Global Movement of Moderates (right)."Ostensibly, the 'syariah police' is supposed to combat the spread of Shiite teachings.
By Jakim estimates, Shias number roughly 1,500 or 0.005 percent of the population.
"How can this justify federal intervention when the states already have their own syariah enforcement officers to deal with offences under syariah laws?" SIS asked.
It said that the proposal appears to aim at further strengthening the enforcement powers of state religious authorities.
"We are concerned that this could lead to further harassment, intimidation and moral policing of Muslims and the violation of their fundamental liberties as guaranteed by the federal constitution," it said.
"Religious raids have often led to the violation of personal dignity and privacy, and in some cases, death.
"We have not read of any investigation carried out to hold these religious enforcement officers to account," it added.
Manufacturing fear, sowing divisiveness
SIS said the expansion of syariah authorities' enforcement powers does not bode well for the peace and unity of the country.
"Sisters in Islam therefore calls on the government to walk its talk and apply moderation to its actions instead of manufacturing fear and sowing divisiveness in society," it said.
Last week Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi mooted a special police taskforce to battle the spread of "deviant teachings" including Shiism.
This follows increased government crackdown on Shiite practitioners in the country, culminating in an accusation against opposition leader PAS deputy president Mohamad Sabu during Umno's general assembly earlier this month.
Mohamad Sabu has denied the allegations and said on Tuesday that he intends to sue Ahmad Zahid.
The government considers the Shiite denomination as illegal. It allows only Sunni Islam to be practiced by Muslims in Malaysia.
The split between the Sunni and Shiite sects began as a dispute over succession after the death of the Prophet Muhammad in 632.
"How can this justify federal intervention when the states already have their own syariah enforcement officers to deal with offences under syariah laws?" SIS asked.
It said that the proposal appears to aim at further strengthening the enforcement powers of state religious authorities.
"We are concerned that this could lead to further harassment, intimidation and moral policing of Muslims and the violation of their fundamental liberties as guaranteed by the federal constitution," it said.
"Religious raids have often led to the violation of personal dignity and privacy, and in some cases, death.
"We have not read of any investigation carried out to hold these religious enforcement officers to account," it added.
Manufacturing fear, sowing divisiveness
SIS said the expansion of syariah authorities' enforcement powers does not bode well for the peace and unity of the country.
"Sisters in Islam therefore calls on the government to walk its talk and apply moderation to its actions instead of manufacturing fear and sowing divisiveness in society," it said.
Last week Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi mooted a special police taskforce to battle the spread of "deviant teachings" including Shiism.
This follows increased government crackdown on Shiite practitioners in the country, culminating in an accusation against opposition leader PAS deputy president Mohamad Sabu during Umno's general assembly earlier this month.
Mohamad Sabu has denied the allegations and said on Tuesday that he intends to sue Ahmad Zahid.
The government considers the Shiite denomination as illegal. It allows only Sunni Islam to be practiced by Muslims in Malaysia.
The split between the Sunni and Shiite sects began as a dispute over succession after the death of the Prophet Muhammad in 632.
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