Think tank: Get to the root of why Muslims leave the faith

Islamic Renaissance Front says the government and Islamic religious authorities should ask if the problem lies in the way they administer Islam or the way Islamic teachers approach Islam.

Dr Ahmad Farouk Musa

PETALING JAYA: The government and the religious authorities should find out why Muslims are leaving the faith if they are concerned about such matters, according to an Islamic think tank.

Islamic Renaissance Front chairman Dr Ahmad Farouk Musa suggested several reasons, including the dogmatic teachings of Islam, the seemingly repressive way in which the religion is being administered and the rigid way religious teachers approach the subject.

“If the problem is in the way Islam is represented by the current administration, then we have to reflect on this. There should be self introspection and self reflection by the government and the Islamic religious authorities,” Farouk told FMT.

He was commenting on Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki’s statement that the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission as well as the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Department would investigate Muslims who took part in an event organised by The Atheist Republic Consulate of Kuala Lumpur.

The deputy minister in the prime minister’s department said the gathering which was held last week was organised by “non-believers”.

But Farouk was quick to point out that when it came to faith, it was something between men and God.

“I do not see any justification if a state wants to interfere in an individual’s faith.”

The activist reminded the government and the Islamic authorities that there was no coercion in Islam.

Meanwhile, the MP for Parit Buntar, Dr Mujahid Yusof, suggested engaging those who were involved in atheism in a dialogue session.

“From whichever faith you are, atheism is unacceptable. It cannot be considered as a belief if they do not have any faith. The authorities should intervene if such beliefs encroach into the lives of Muslims and start to propagate”, he said. - FMT