KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 18 — The Nasyid Artists Association of Malaysia (Munsyid) will take part in the Himpun gathering this weekend in a show of support and solidarity.
A coalition of Muslim groups are planning a rally called ‘Himpunan Sejuta Umat’ (Himpun), or ‘Gathering of a Million Faithful’, against Christians “challenging the sovereignty of Islam” this Saturday.
Organised by various right-wing groups such as Perkasa with the backing of both Umno and PAS Youth, the gathering could further raise religious tensions that have intensified in recent months following allegations of the proselytism of Muslims by Christians.
Representing 60 Nasyid artists in Malaysia, Munsyid will provide entertainment at the Shah Alam Stadium during the intermission of the Himpun event, which has been themed ‘Selamatkan Akidah Umat’, or ‘Save the Believers’ Creed’.
“We will use mainstream media, music and concert activities to help curb and stop this trend from prevailing,” said Munsyid advisor and Rabbani mentor, Sohibul Fadhil, at a press conference today.
“Proselytism of Muslims has been carried out through social services and entertainment, in a planned and civil manner on the pretext of religious tolerance.
“There has been 109 cases of conversion in 2009, and thousands more are waiting to do so, which threatens both the federal and state constitutions,” he said.
Himpun has also insisted on following through with its plans, which aim to “measure the level of unity and spirit of togetherness among Muslims especially towards Christianisation efforts including the recent August 3 church raid incident.”
About 1,000 Facebook users have confirmed their attendance so far but should Himpun attract many more to the Shah Alam Stadium this weekend, it could push Umno and PAS to seek relevance among more religious Malays.
The Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais) had raided the Damansara Utama Methodist Church (DUMC) in Petaling Jaya on August 3, claiming it was proselytising to Muslims.
Although DUMC has denied Jais’ claims, Utusan Malaysia fanned the flames with allegations that Christian groups in Kuala Lumpur and Johor were actively trying to convert Muslims.
Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah appeared to bring a close to the case last week when decreeing that although Jais had found evidence of attempts to subvert Muslims, it was “insufficient” for further legal action.
Christian-Muslim ties in the country have been strained since the December 31, 2009 High Court ruling affirming the Catholic Church’s constitutional right to use the term “Allah” in its newspaper.
Muslim anger at the decision led to a series of attacks on houses of worship, which left one church gutted following a petrol-bombing incident.
