Protestation against Christian Conversion

KUALA LUMPUR: Numerous Malaysian Muslims were found gathering near the capital on Saturday to protest alleged Christian attempts to convert the Muslims, thus emphasizing on a strain between the religious groups in the nation.

The rally was led by non-governmental groups with allegations of Christian effort to convert the Muslims as well as a recent raid in a church, which happened due to the suspicions of attempts to convert the Muslims.

“I think it’s very unnecessary. Muslims who are strong in faith won’t easily get swayed those who are not strong will end up like feeling their religion being threaten. Nevertheless I can somehow understand the dissatisfaction of the Muslims but at the same time I think it’s better to sit and discuss the issue rather than doing something silly like this”, said Luqman Lee, who witnessed the protest.

Many believed that Christians work hard to spread their gospel and that it is affecting the Muslim’s faith indirectly.

David, a Christian leader said the most important key that he holds on to is to live in harmony. Whoever that is around him, is someone whom he should care for, love for, protect, and to help out whenever there's a need, giving when there's a lack.

“The bible taught us, ‘Love your neighbor as yourselves’. I do not support if anyone were to force any Muslims to become a Christian, but everything shall be according to one's will. Religion for me is not just about having a belief; it's a relationship with a real God that we all shall always long for, and to build it strong”, he added.

The Muslims consist of the majority of the country’s people, with the rest made up of Buddhists, Christians, Hindus et cetera. The Non-Muslims are guaranteed freedom of religion while the ethnic Malays are Muslim by birth and lawfully forbidden to have a change of religion.

“I think this is something which is never going to end until both parties actually come to their consciousness and decide to sit and discuss to sort things out and resolve this issue. If this keeps going on it’s not just going to tarnish the respective religions status but also tarnish the reputation of the country being known for its plurality”, said Wei, who witnessed the protest.

The nation has avoided few religious conflicts in the past decades, but the rising tension between the Christians and Muslims began growing in 2009 when the word “Allah” was available for the use of Roman Catholics to refer to God in Malay-language bibles. That word was believed to be exclusive for many Muslims in Malaysia, hence triggered a controversy on the issue at hands.

Goh Wei Luck 0903007

Vimal a/l Manamohan 0908763

Lee Yin Ying 0908499

Soh Wei Xin  0901690

Chamle Teow Cham Le 0906494