JAIS should also arrest Muslims for just walking pass in front of a church, you know, it might tempt the Muslims to convert right away the moment they feel the presence of Christian spirits, they might even be possessed.........

The Sultan's decree does not resolve important issues raised by the farcical raid on DUMC and has left many with bottled up feelings of resentment and discontent......

Officials of DUMC have, from the outset, vehemently denied the allegations that Muslims had been proselytised at what they claim was a multiethnic gathering to raise funds for HIV/AIDS. They have however, criticised the actions of JAIS enforcement officials for their role and conduct in the unauthorised raid.

Mariam Mokhtar, Free Malaysia Today

The principal parties involved in the Selangor Islamic Affairs Department (JAIS) raid on a Methodist church function last August have officially endorsed the sultan’s solution, and the matter is deemed closed.

The Sultan of Selangor’s brief statement said that “….there had been attempts to subvert the faith and belief of Muslims” during the dinner at the Damansara Utama Methodist Church (DUMC) organised by the NGO Harapan Komuniti during Ramadan.

Despite this, many issues remain unresolved and the rakyat is more perplexed than ever because his statement raises more questions than answers.

How much involvement has Umno in the affairs of an opposition led state, do state religious authorities think that they are above the law and had abuses of power by JAIS been swept under the carpet?

The statement did not allude to any evidence uncovered in these “attempts” at proselytisation, neither did it make reference to the Christians.

However, it mentioned that no further legal action could be taken because of insufficient evidence and that JAIS had acted correctly in conducting the search.

Sultan Sharafuddin said: “Therefore, after carefully deliberating the report by JAIS and after obtaining advice from religious authorities and legal experts, we are in agreement that there would be no prosecution against any party.

“We are satisfied that the actions of JAIS were correct and did not breach any law enforceable in Selangor. We command that (Islamic officials) provide counseling to Muslims who were involved in the said dinner, to restore their belief and faith in the religion of Islam.”

Officials of DUMC have, from the outset, vehemently denied the allegations that Muslims had been proselytised at what they claim was a multiethnic gathering to raise funds for HIV/AIDS. They have however, criticised the actions of JAIS enforcement officials for their role and conduct in the unauthorised raid.

Perhaps, the most disquieting statement was when the sultan said that he was “gravely concerned and extremely offended by the attempts of certain parties to weaken the faith and belief of Muslims.”

Malaysians have remarked that they are just as offended because nothing has been done to check high-handed officialdom and the mistrust which the officials have in the rakyat.

Firstly, they are offended that Malays are perceived to be of weak faith and an even weaker constitution, that their presence in a largely Christian flock, when hymns are sung or prayers said, could make them denounce their faith.

Secondly, the notion that any multiethnic event, be it a funeral, Christmas party, celebration of a festival or something as innocuous as a dinner, is seen as an attempt to convert the Muslim brethren.

As defender of the faith, the sultan had also directed his subjects to stop questioning the actions of JAIS and that activities which spread other religions to Muslims should cease.

He said: “The religion of Islam as practised in Selangor is one of tolerance. Muslims are always encouraged to respect the believers of other religions. However, persons or parties cannot take the opportunity to spread other religions to Muslims.”

What if a similar raid was on a mosque?

But disgruntled non-Muslims have remarked: “It is all right for you Muslims. But who speaks for us, when members of our community undergo forced conversions?

“Families are torn apart, children are separated from their mothers, bodies are snatched from graves, marriages cannot be registered. Where is the freedom to practise our religion as provided in the constitution?”

A Malay resident of Petaling Jaya living beside a Church said: “No one questions JAIS for wanting to do its job. The issue is how JAIS conducted itself when it carried out the raid.

“Did JAIS have any respect of the sanctity of a place of worship? Did it even follow procedures when conducting the raid? Are there any standard procedures in the first instance?

“If a similar raid were to be conducted on a mosque, wouldn’t there be a Muslim backlash? Without search warrants or strict adherence to guidelines to raid, do you think anyone will have any respect for authority if they simply bulldoze their way in?

“Where is the respect for another person’s religion?” Where is our tolerance?”

Comments (15)...

written by juliooi, October 15, 2011 10:20:25

Farham wrote: An officer a saw many Muslims escaped through the back door, Why would dinner guests be assisted by the hosts to escape from the back door? Only guilty guests and hosts engage in such acts.

My Question: Have you ever thought the Muslims might have tried to escape bcos they dreaded dealing with unprofessional and holier-than-thou JAIS people? We have all heard of the many arrogant behaviours of JAIS. Also, most of us know many in our police force are corrupt and our hearts sink when approached by a police even tho we haven't committed a crime? We see them as trouble and would attempt to run to avoid trouble. ...

written by bumiputar, October 15, 2011 10:08:28

That's why we must get rid of this fcuking jias, mias, jakim, perkim, jakun, mufti, #$@&^%$...etc

The ROOT CAUSE is the evil mother fcuking bumi/non policy again!!!!! ...

written by mat indra, October 15, 2011 09:25:32

WTF Mariam. You don't have to argue what if non Muslims do the same thing Muslims, what would be our reaction. Muslims who are minority worlwide are subject to mistreatment by Non muslims, ridiculed for wearing hijab. ..

written by roaringhuang, October 15, 2011 08:19:45

For non-muslims or organisation, if you really have the money and don't know how or where to use it, please give it to me(I have not employed for more than 10 years) or UMNO to "manage" for you.... the fox always know better how to handle the chickens than you....

written by Bonker United, October 15, 2011 07:28:00

JAIS should also arrest Muslims for just walking pass in front of a church, you know, it might tempt the Muslims to convert right away the moment they feel the presence of Christian spirits, they might even be possessed. No good...no, no, NO !...

written by Monopoly, October 15, 2011 06:51:56

This situation reminds me of the game of monopoly where you use the ” get out of jail free" card. No need for litigation, no need of lawyers or judicial process nor pay any fines. Just use the card that is obtained from "chance" or "community chest". ..

written by Lok1, October 15, 2011 04:10:16

And who is the Official head of JAIS,or Muslim head of the State?????? HuuuH,perhaps those poors Malays were supposed to be sent for rehabilitation at the uncompleted S.Alam Hospital,built n coverup faster,then let someone else finish it and make money at the same time,don't care what MOF says,Kapish,didn't Suss ask for more workers,JAIS,sent them there. ...

written by farhann, October 15, 2011 01:16:32

All the writings presumed that JAIS acted in a heavy handed manner. That is an accusation. Since when an accusation becomes a fact. I have read the personal report of a member of the so called "raiding' group posted in a mosque in Taman Melawati. The report says they waited 1/2 hour in the lobby before invited to enter the premises. Some raid huh, when officers waited politely outside. The way Mariam describes it I would have imagined they booted down the door. An officer a saw many Muslims escaped through the back door, Why would dinner guests be assisted by the hosts to escape from the back door? Only guilty guests and hosts engage in such acts. Be a bit balanced in your reporting Mariam otherwise you are a disgrace to the journalistic world. ...

written by Cynic, October 14, 2011 23:21:02

"....no further legal action could be taken because of insufficient evidence

The real reason why no further legal action could be taken is because if legal action were to be taken it would mean the whole report and all details of the raid would have to come out into the open in a court of law. And I think they all know how that would look for Jais. ...

written by Krishna Caitanya, October 14, 2011 22:03:53

We, Hindus, have an easy way to keep this beef eating rascal out of our temples.

Just tell these fellows that we need to first purify them because of the stench of beef eating by sprinkling them with komium [cow urine] before they could enter. ...

written by richfyf2000, October 14, 2011 21:44:21

Can a pork seller sells pork in this shop? Can a Pub sell Beer in the PUB. I think so, as long as they do it at their approved licence premises.

So DOES a CHURCH have the LEGAL RIGHT TO promotes CHRISTIANITY in the Church OWN premises????????? ..

written by IbnAbdHalim, October 14, 2011 21:42:39

JAIS is carrying its duty on behalf of God. In fact even Muslims cannot propagate Islam to Muslims without JAIS's permit. In a way JAIS is semi-god. ..

written by malchindian, October 14, 2011 20:58:43

Keep writing Mariam!

Respect for the system went down a few notches after this one. What does bn have over you lot that cowers you into submission? Wine, women and 2 wheeler rides? ...

written by KepalaAngin, October 14, 2011 20:26:06

MUslim are weak...easily tempted...hahaha what a joke! Not for this Gen...Malaysians are getting wiser now. ...

written by Fart Fart Wah, October 14, 2011 20:19:09

Agreed. How can you raid a place on suspicion or planted suspicion? Is the way a Muslim behaves? Is this the way the prophet taught raid raise the sword chop heads if there is apostasy? I have always maintained that the Muslim Authorities in Malaysia have usurped the position of the merciful Allah told him to shut up and have put him is ISA..whatever he says in the Koran is flushed down the toilet and in place of him they worship the authority of man.any man who who plays to the gallery in religion.it is pure idolatry.