Cops urged to act on proselytisation of children

 

A PKR Youth leader has urged the police to act against proselytisation allegedly aimed at children living in low-cost flats while their parents are away at work.

Tasek Gelugor PKR Youth chief Nur Mushawwir Hrsikesa Thaitchana Muruthi expressed concern that such activities could threaten religious harmony in Malaysia if not kept in check, especially if such door-to-door proselytisation spread to Muslims too.

“We do not want such things to disturb the harmonious religious life in Malaysia.

“We are a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural, and multi-religious country and the strength of our country is the spirit of unity among Malaysians who respect each other’s religion, customs, and culture.

“The tolerance that we practice is a principle that we must uphold,” he said.

He was speaking at a press conference outside Seberang Prai Utara police district headquarters in Kepala Batas, Penang after lodging a police report last night.

He was accompanied by about 15 individuals from Pemuda Perpaduan, a group that represents the youth wings of the coalition government’s parties.

Mushawwir said he decided to lodge the police report after receiving a video via a messaging service that purportedly showed a Christian group preaching to minors in Kampung Muhibbah in Puchong, Selangor.

In his police report, sighted by Malaysiakini, he claimed the group has done this despite full knowledge that the children were Hindus since many of the children were wearing vibuthi (sacred ash used in Hindu religious practice) on their foreheads.

“Our purpose of making a police report is not to point fingers against any religious groups or individuals, as we know the Article 11 of the Federal Constitution allows religious freedom, but, preaching, propagating, or converting of minors is an offence,” he added.

Mushawwir acknowledged there are no laws restricting the propagation of non-Islamic religions among non-Muslims.

However, he pointed out that changing the religion of a person below 18 years old requires the consent of the child’s parents or guardian. - Mkini