No sense belittling Christianity to strengthen faith of Muslims, says DAP’s Dyana

Dec 15, 2015

JOHOR BAHRU: DAP's Dyana Sofya Mohd Daud wants action to be taken against Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) for holding an anti-Christian seminar over the weekend, questioning if it made sense to belittle the religion just to strengthen the faith of Muslims.

The former Teluk Intan by-election candidate also questioned why there had been no action against the university for holding a similar seminar on May 6 last year.

"The seminars clearly prove that UiTM is allowing religious provocation with the intention to sow hatred among Malaysians.

"How would Muslims feel if a similar anti-Islam seminar was held at an institution of higher learning?" Dyana asked in a statement today.

She added that as a multi-racial country, Malaysians should respect freedom of religion and carry out more interfaith programmes to foster understanding among the people towards a more harmonious nation.

Dyana urged Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh and the ministry to monitor religious phobia activities and stop it from taking place in public universities.

The Perak DAP committee member also wants the ministry to take action against UiTM for provoking religious disharmony.

The controversial seminar, "Ancaman Gerakan Pemurtadan Kristianisasi (Threat of the Christian proselytisation movement), was held at UiTM's campus in Lendu, Malacca, on Saturday.

The police crest can be clearly seen alongside UiTM's logo from the screen grab of a slide from the seminar, that has been making its rounds on social media.

Malacca police chief officer Chua Ghee Lye was reported to have confirmed that a Special Branch officer from Bukit Aman had attended the seminar as a presenter.

"The seminar touched upon attempts to convert Muslims to other religions, both in the country and in other nations.

"It was meant to strengthen the 'akidah' of Muslims, especially among university students," Chua reportedly said.

At a similar seminar held at UiTM Shah Alam last year, the audience was told that undercover Christian priests had been sent to Malaysia under different guises, including working with Muslim children as football coaches, to proselytise and convert Muslims.

The seminar on the use of the word "Allah" and Christology also featured a talk on "10 reasons Christians should become Muslims" and belittled the Bible by alleging that it contained "tales".

A lawyer urged Putrajaya to reopen investigations against UiTM after the university went ahead with a second seminar on Saturday despite being questioned by police over the first forum in May last year. --The Malaysian Insider