THE Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH) has expressed dissatisfaction with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s recent act of presiding over a religious conversion ceremony for an Indian youth at a mosque in Klang.
It said as the nation’s leader Anwar should consider whether his actions align with the wellbeing of the entire population and the sentiments of people from all ethnic backgrounds.
“The Prime Minister’s open participation in the religious conversion of an Indian youth and his high-profile posting of photos on social media have undoubtedly displayed a lack of religious sensitivity, causing hurt to the sentiments and self-esteem of the Indian community,” it said in a statement today (Aug 21).
According to KLSCAH, while Article 11 of the Federal Constitution guarantees the freedom of religion for the people, Anwar as Prime Minister should not openly preside over religious conversion ceremonies for individuals of other ethnicities.
“This action not only causes discomfort among non-Muslim communities but also leads to confusion among the people,” it asserted.
“As the leader representing various ethnic groups and the head of a multi-ethnic political party, the Prime Minister should carefully consider whether publicly conducting religious conversions for Indian youths is meant to showcase a particular direction for the nation or to uphold specific values.
“Alternatively, could there be other implications or hidden agendas behind this act?”
Anwar’s recent act of openly converting the Hindu youth to Islam had previously sparked criticism among non-Muslims, among them former Penang deputy chief minister Prof P. Ramasamy, who described the move as “unimaginable”.
Ramasamy said no other prime minister had done this before, and went on to question the necessity of such a move.
“Is Anwar coming to say that religions other than Islam can’t live together with Islam? Is conversion the way to exit from the multifaceted religions and multicultural society in the country?” he asked in a statement on Saturday (Aug 19).
Ramasamy further pointed out that Anwar had confused non-Muslims and Muslims by converting a Hindu youth.
“I don’t know whether Anwar realised that the conversion will hurt the feelings and self-esteem of the Indian community. Can’t other religious officials perform religious conversion rituals?” – Aug 21, 2023
