MCCBCHST: Offensive to preach own faith in other places of worship

The Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST) finally took Terengganu Mufti Datuk Dr Mohamad Sabri Haron over the latter’s stand that it was okay for Muslims to preach Islam in non-Muslim places of worship.

“If the purpose of entry to a place of worship is with a view to fostering unity and promoting interfaith relations and understanding, then it should be welcomed,” said MCCBCHST via a statement, FMT reported.

“But if the purpose of the visit is to propagate one’s own faith at another faith’s place of worship, then it becomes offensive and may affect the sanctity of the place of worship and cause disharmony.”

MCCBCHST said Muslims preaching at non-Muslim houses of worship risked affecting the sanctity of these religious places, which could then escalate to disturbing the peace.

Although the constitution restricts the propagation of other religions to those who profess to be Muslim, this does not mean Muslims have free rein to propagate their faith to non-Muslims even in their respective houses of worship, the council said.

Violates the Penal Code

MCCBCHST called upon the Terengganu mufti to respect the rights of all persons and adhere to the correct interpretation of the Federal Constitution and Malaysian laws.

It also said propagating Islam at a non-Muslim place of worship could violate Penal Code provisions that deal with wounding religious feelings of a person or group, causing disharmony, and making statements that are likely to incite the commission of offences.

MCCBCHST urged followers of all religions in Malaysia to respect the sanctity of other houses of worship and not to commit actions that would cause disharmony.

No person of one religion had the right to go to a place of worship of another religion and propagate their faith without invitation or permission, it added.

The statement came after the Malaysia Hindudharma Maamandram (MHDM) raised an alarm over Sabri’s statement.

It called for all Hindu temples to only allow adherents of the Hindu faith into the temple. Non believers are only allowed.

Sabri made the remark after a controversy sparked off when officials from Perak Islamic Affairs Department joined a visit to a Hindu temple in Kampung Kasipillay, Kuala Lumpur.