Himpunan Sejuta Umat: A Great Success (?) despite low turnout

October 22,2011

www.malaysiakini.com

by Malaysiakini

The organisers of the anti-apostasy rally Himpunan Sejuta Umat (Congregation of a Million) in Shah Alam today declared the event a success despite only attracting no more than 5,000 people. According to its co-chairperson Mohd Azmi Mohd Hamid(left), this is because the message of the rally has been delivered.

Speaking after the four-hour event at the Shah Alam open stadium, he said that the delivery of their message trumps “the real numbers on the ground.”

“We are not disappointed. When we say one million (people), we say this as the NGOs had promised certain numbers of supporters, but if they can’t make it then we are not too concerned about it,” he said.

According to Mohd Azmi, the fact that no untoward incident occurred also disproved the fear-mongering by Himpun’s detractors. “We succeeded with a peaceful and disciplined gathering,” he said of the gathering that had earlier claimed received the support of 3,000 Muslim NGOs.

‘Apostasy stops here’

Earlier, the organisers confiscated an unauthorised booklet distributed at the rally, on alleged proselytisation by NGO Harapan Komuniti, that was hosting a thanksgiving dinner at the Damansara Utama Methodist Church on the night of the Selangor Islamic Affairs Department (Jais) raid on Aug 3.

“That was not from us,” Mohd Azmi said of the booklet . Mohd Azmi said Himpun’s message, through its 10 resolutions, will be brought on a nationwide roadshow and forwarded to the Agong, Malay rulers, menteris besar, and federal and state governments.

“We want to say that this apostasy phenomenon stops here. It won’t be like drugs or the ‘rempit’ culture that has become widespread,” he said.

He added that Himpun’s resolution also show that what Muslims want is for their legal rights to be protected, “without animosity towards non-Muslims”.

The much anticipated event was also attended by some non-Muslims, mostly media personnel, whom the announcer addressed several times, assuring them that Muslims are not out to deny them their right based on the federal constitution.

Commenting on the frequent reference to Christian missions during the string of speeches by NGO leaders today that some saw demonising Christians, Mohd Azmi said scholarly research proved that the evangelist movement had reached Malaysia.

“This statement has basis… it is a well-known fact that people see Islam as a target,” he said, earlier referring to Iain Buchanan’s book on the evangelist movement ‘Armies of God’.

Mohd Azmi, however, conceded that the fact that such movements exist in Malaysia proves poor enforcement of existing laws that prohibit proselytisation to Muslims.

“We feel that there is no serious enforcement. We have dealt with a state where evidence that one church clearly showed that it had proselytised to an individual, but no action was taken,” he said, refusing however to name the church or the state involved.

Religious agencies culpable

He added that religious agencies like the zakat foundation are also partly to blame as their weaknesses in assisting the needy has opened the door for the evangelists.

“But what we’re asking is, why (do the evangelists) take advantage of these poor people?” he said, urging Islamic agencies to do more to help the needy.

On the appearance of PAS-Gombak Setia assemblyperson and Selangor exco for Islamic affairs Hasan Ali (left) today, Mohd Azmi said the politician’s involvement is “innocent” as he did so in his individual capacity.

“I don’t think he breached party discipline,” he said, referring to PAS’ stand to stay away from the event.

Besides Hasan, who ended the event by leading a prayer, the other Pakatan Rakyat leader who attended the event was Federal Territories PAS Youth secretary Kamaruzzaman Mohamad, who spoke as a representative of the NGO Anti-Apostasy Front.

Independent MP Ibrahim Ali, who arrived with much fanfare, came as NGO Perkasa president, but did not speak at the rally.

Himpun’s 10 resolutions

1) For all Malaysians to respect the Malay rulers as protectors of Islam.

2) For federal and state governments to enforce exisiting laws and to protect Muslim sensitivities.

3) For the enactment of anti-apostasy and anti-proselytisation acts.

4) For a revision of the education system in order for the system to be rooted on Islamic teachings.

5) For any laws that will replace the Internal Security Act to include the protection of the sanctity of Islam according to the Federal Constitution.

6) For government to conduct information sessions to enlighten all sectors of society on the position of Islam in the country.

7) For all organisations, including political ones, to prioritise Islam over other interests.

8 ) For all institutions, especially parents, to strengthen the faiths of children and youth by preventing their involvement in activities that could undermine the faith.

9) For the government to ensure media reports responsibly to protect national harmony and Muslim sensitivities in accordance with the law.

10) For Muslims to unite to defend the faith, despite differences in political ideologies.

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