Selangor PAS wants former chief Datuk Hasan Ali and the state Islamic Religious Department (Jais) to explain Wednesday’s controversial raid on a multi-racial dinner at a Petaling Jaya church, including a claim that Christians were attempting to convert Muslims.
The Islamist party is part of the state Pakatan Rakyat (PR) government where Hasan is state executive councillor in charge of Islamic affairs.
“We reserve final comment until we are able to get Jais’ report and meet with Hasan Ali to seek further clarification. We want to see what evidence Hasan has,” Selangor PAS deputy commissioner Khalid Samad told a press conference here.
Selangor has gagged all its exco members from talking about the raid after Hasan claimed there were efforts to convert Muslims when Jais and police raided the Damansara Utama Methodist Church (DUMC). The raiding party entered building without a warrant on the basis of preventing the conversion of Muslims.
The multiracial dinner was attended by about 100 people, including a dozen Muslims.
Khalid said only Hasan has associated the dinner — organised by charity association Harapan Komuniti — with the aim to convert Muslims.
“Previously, Jais gave grounds that there is evidence of (Christians) proselytising to Muslims. So far, only one party (claims this),” said the Shah Alam MP.
He also agreed with the state government in asking the religious department explain the reasons for the raid.
“Jais has to give an explanation; they have to present a report on how and why they decided to raid the church.
“Places of worship — regardless of religion — must be respected; this comes from the teachings of Prophet Mohammed (PBUH). Going into a place without a warrant or permission is something that must be avoided entirely, more so in a place of worship,” he said.
He pointed out that while the country’s official religion is Islam, non-Muslims must also feel safe and added: “For PAS, we want (Jais) to let them feel safe by showing utmost respect.”
On Hasan’s claim that the late-night enforcement raid was to prevent an attempt to convert Muslims, Khalid said, “It is not wise to make conclusions that Christians were proselytising to Muslims just because they were having dinner in a church. There must be more substantial evidence, more intelligence.”
“If it’s only dinner, then there is no reason (for the raid). There are lots of programmes with people of different faiths. Look at Ramadan, people of all races gather together to break fast. In fact, this is encouraged in Islam,” he added.
Khalid said in any operation, there are rules to be followed.
“It is very surprising for this to have occurred. It should not have (taken place). We will wait for the report to understand why it happened,” he said.
Khalid also said he hoped the allegation of Muslim conversions were not true.
“These are serious accusations. If true, it will have heavy implications... Proselytisation of a Muslim is against the constitution. However, I am confident that those involved are aware of this,” he said.
When asked if he was concerned PAS would lose non-Muslims votes during the upcoming general election, Khalid said PAS Selangor is not involved with Jais.
“We think raiding a place of worship is hard to accept. Even in an Islamic state, it does not mean (a religious department) can act out as (it) pleases. We want to know why Jais carried out the raid,” Khalid said.
Damansara Utama Methodist Church senior pastor Daniel Ho has called for action to be taken against religious enforcement officers, saying they had denied over 100 dinner guests their constitutional right to freedom of assembly in the raid.
The pastor said the enforcement officers swooped in on the dinner based on an unspecified complaint, bringing along a police team but without any warrant for the operation.
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If the allegation is unsubstantiated with solid evidence, it means, Hasan Ali is the trouble maker who disrespect the non muslim and a trouble maker. IOt would be interesting how PR and PAS will handle this guy.
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