Stop anti-religion activities in universities, ministry urged

Higher Education Minister Idris Jusoh has been urged to monitor and stop anti-religion activities from taking place in universities in Malaysia following an anti-Christianisation seminar that was held at a public university recently.

In making the call today, DAP Youth exco member Dyana Sofya Mohd Daud said: "Action must also be taken against University Teknologi Mara (UiTM), which was responsible for encouraging such provocative anti-religious activities.

"This is to show that the government is serious about condemning such provocative religious activities."

Malacca UiTM held a seminar, titled 'Ancaman Gerakan Pemurtadan Kristianisasi' (Threat of Christian Proselytisation Movement), on Saturday.

Malacca UiTM corporate communications chief Siti Najah Raihan Sakrani said the seminar was to strengthen the faith of the university’s Muslim students.

Dyana condemned the seminar, saying that it is not right to try to strengthen the faiths of Muslim students by putting down other religions.

"Is Islam not beautiful enough of a religion that we need to put down other religions to prove its beauty?" she wondered.

"If UiTM truly wants to strengthen the faith of its Muslim students, I believe there are better ways to do so."

Respect freedom of religion

Dyana pointed out that if some other university had held an anti-Islam seminar, Muslims would be offended as well.

As a multi-racial and multi-religious country, she said, Malaysia should respect the freedom of religion and have more interfaith activities to create better understanding among the people.

She also questioned the lack of action taken against UiTM, which had organised a similarly provocative religious seminar at its Shah Alam campus last year.

"This clearly shows that UiTM allows provocative religious activities that are unhealthy and intended to incite hatred among the multi-religious rakyat," Dyana said. -Mkini