Those who fear other religions ‘spiritually weak’, says academic

 

Tajuddin Mohd Rasdi said he has attended celebrations and events in other houses of faith without any issues.

KUALA LUMPUR: People who fear other religions are spiritually weak, says an academic.

Tajuddin Mohd Rasdi of UCSI University said he has been invited to celebrations by people of non-Muslim faith and that there is nothing wrong with that.

“I’ve been invited to Christmas celebrations, sometimes in hotels and sometimes in churches,” Tajuddin said during a book launch and forum at the Royal Lake Club here today.

“We accept all, and we invite all. It’s not that we want to convert, we’re not interested in any conversion.

“I’ve never tried to convert anyone to Islam in my whole life because it’s not my business to convert people.”

His comments come after Selangor decided to prohibit Muslims from attending programmes in non-Muslim houses of worship.

Yesterday, Selangor religious affairs committee chairman Zawawi Ahmad Mughni said any programme involving Muslims at non-Muslim houses of worship was not allowed.

On the negative reaction over the movie “Mentega Terbang”, Tajuddin said this was due to the Malay community’s “old-fashioned” thinking.

“The film was about them pondering about other faiths, as should be everyone’s prerogative and right.

“I have done that and was (once) lost before discovering what is now known as the Islamic reformist movement,” he said.

Calling it a “good film”, he said it should be awarded “all the accolades” for being courageous to tackle narratives and questions the nation needed so badly.

“Mentega Terbang”, which touches on the differences and similarities of the major religions in Malaysia, has drawn criticism from the public as well as artistes following its airing on streaming service Viu in January. It was first released online and through limited public screenings in 2021.

Following the uproar, it was pulled down from Viu on Feb 27. - FMT