Social order & special needs

We, from the Islamic Renaissance Front (IRF) read the news regarding the proposed Faith Crime Act by the deputy education minister yesterday with trepidation.

The proposal came about as a response to Jais' unwarranted raid of Damansara Utama Methodist Church last week. Read more »

The Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST) unreservedly condemns the unwarranted raid on the premises of the Damansara Utama Methodist Church (DUMC) on the evening of 3 August 2011 by officers of the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS) and the police which clearly breached the constitutionally guaranteed, and internationally recognised, sanctity of a holy place of worship - an event which has been confirmed by the Malaysian AIDS Council to have been organised to raise funds. Read more »

The Defenders of Islam movement (Pembela) has slammed Selangor Menteri Besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim (left) for his "apologetic" stance over last week's raid by the state Islamic Affairs Department (Jais) on the Damansara Utama Methodist Church (DUMC).

In a statement, Pembela president Yusri Mohamad condemned political interferance in Islamic affairs and called for Jais to be given freedom in carrying out its duties. Read more »

A Malaysian bishop has offered strong criticism of politicians who seek to foster anti-Christian sentiment in the largely Muslim nation.

Bishop Paul Tan Chee Ing’s remarks follow a decision by religious police to raid a Christian thanksgiving dinner at which Muslims were present. Claiming that Christians were proselytizing Muslims, the state executive councilor for religious affairs defended the raid. Read more »

Outspoken religious scholar Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin has urged Muslims in positions of authority in religious bodies to cease their knee-jerk reactions to those of the community who - denied help by their own brethren - turn to other religious communities for help.

Commenting on the controversial raid by the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais) on a multiracial dinner organised in a church compound in which poor Muslims were allegedly involved in proselytising efforts, Asri said Islamic bodies have no one to fault but themselves if poor and vulnerable Muslims accept offers of assistance from non-Muslim based organisations. Read more »

The Malaysian Bar deeply deplores the action by the Jabatan Agama Islam Selangor (“JAIS”) who, with the assistance of Polis DiRaja Malaysia, rudely interrupted a thanksgiving dinner hosted by a community-based non-governmental organisation and held at Damansara Utama Methodist Church 3 August 2011.

We welcome the statement of regret offered by the Menteri Besar of Selangor over the incident, and his call for JAIS to furnish a detailed report on the incident.  We trust that appropriate disciplinary action will be taken if JAIS officers are found to have exceeded their authority in this regard. Read more »

The Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM) is deeply shocked and appalled at the raid by the officers of the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS) and the police conducted on the premises of the Damansara Utama Methodist Church (DUMC) on the evening of 3rd August 2011.

The dinner function organised by Harapan Komuniti, a community development NGO, is an annual thanksgiving celebration to commemorate its efforts on its numerous community projects for the benefit of Malaysians. Read more »

The "digital age" generation flocking to Madrid for World Youth Day in a couple week's time will be made aware of one of the darker sides of digital culture: the flourishing business of Internet pornography. 

Thanks to an award-winning documentary created by Anteroom Pictures in New York City, the pornography industry will be exposed and analyzed before the young audience. Read more »

The days leading up to the BERSIH rally were one of tense anticipation with many parties issuing ultimatums and threats.

The mainstream newspapers under the control of the ruling party had given a lot of public space to fringe elements in Malaysian society to disparage BERSIH, Madam Ambiga and even to issue veiled threats against the Public at large. Read more »