CCM: Hadi should fight Islamic State threat instead of Christian missionaries

Jan 29, 2016

PETALING JAYA: Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang should concentrate on fighting the Islamic State (IS) threat rather than make “unfounded remarks” on Christian missionaries, says the Council of Churches of Malaysia (CCM).

“The Council of Churches of Malaysia expresses its deep disappointment that the President of PAS, Hadi Awang, had made some disparaging remarks, accusing Christian missionaries of propagating their faith to people in unethical ways,” said CCM secretary-general Rev Dr Herman Shastri.

Hadi was reported to have said in a report by PAS-owned paper Harakah Daily on Jan 18, that Christian missionaries were spreading their teachings in Africa and the interiors of Sabah and Sarawak after having been rejected by the educated in Western nations.

The PAS president also said that Christian missionaries were baiting targets with money and other forms of aid.

In a statement on Jan 20, Shastri said that Hadi should, instead, focus on why many Muslim youths are becoming radicalized and attracted to IS and address the growing problem.

“A Muslim leader like him should concentrate on these matters within his religion and not criticize other religions,” said Shastri.

He also said that it is not expected of a Muslim leader of his position to make such “unfounded remarks” and cast aspersions on Christians and Christian missionaries.

“Hadi Awang seems to ignore that the very thing he accuses Christians of doing are the very same things Islamic agencies and institutions are doing in our country and beyond.

“There are many documented reports of Islamic missionary activities in the country, especially targeting the natives of Sabah and Sarawak to win people to Islam with all kinds of incentives,” said Shastri.

Meanwhile, a Facebook user has claimed to be part of an entourage from the Kedah branch of the Muslim Youth Movement of Malaysia (ABIM), that, he said, went on a mission to convert villagers from the foothills of Mount Kinabalu.

According to a Facebook post from the user with the screen name “Kapten Al Fateh”, he was sanctioned by the movement to be part of a group on an Islamic mission to proselytise to villagers in Ranau, a Dusun community of mixed religions.

ABIM Kedah, when contacted by Malay Mail Online, confirmed the letter, but denied that there were any conversion activities carried out.

“We are not Islamising anybody. There are people who have already converted and we are having a kenduri for them. We are just visiting,” said Hazwan when contacted by Malay Mail Online. -- The Star/Malay Mail Online