Himpun spreads apostasy fight to three more states

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 20 — Organisers of the so-called gathering of a million Muslims said today it will expand its anti-apostasy campaign to three other states, despite falling far short of the stated figure in its October 22 gathering in Shah Alam.

“Himpunan Sejuta Umat (Himpun) will mobilise its movement to every state in line with the Himpun Resolution read in Shah Alam in October,” said its joint chairman Mohd Azmi Abdul Hamid.

Azmi estimates 10,000 participants will take part in an upcoming rally at Stadium Indera Mulia, Ipoh this December 17.

The gathering in Shah Alam last month saw fewer than 10,000 arriving in support of the group’s protest against the purported “challenge of Christianisation”.

The mass rally was mooted following the controversial August 3 raid by Selangor Islamic authorities on Damansara Utama Methodist Church (DUMC), where it was alleged that Christians were converting Muslims.

It is illegal to proselytise Muslims in Malaysia.

Christian leaders have denied the allegations of proselytism, and dismissed Himpun’s stated aim as “irrelevant”.

“In line with the Himpun Resolution during its national gathering, Himpun will move its campaign to other states to voice out their opposition to Christianisation efforts on Muslims by certain groups,” Azmi told a news conference here today.

He said that besides Perak, Himpun will travel to Negri Sembilan and Johor on January 7 and 28 next year, but added the venues for the two states had yet to be finalised.

Azmi stressed that the planned gatherings was about uniting Muslims and strengthening their faith.

“We have full commitment from NGOs at state and national levels... we are not against other religions, but we are against those who are trying to convert Muslims, and [we aim to] become agents to uniting Muslims,” he added.

Azmi said Himpun will remain apolitical but will, from time to time, invite like-minded politicians to their events.

The gathering at Shah Alam drew the backing of Perkasa president and Pasir Mas MP Datuk Ibrahim Ali, and Selangor state exco for Islamic Affairs Datuk Hasan Ali.

“We will also be meeting political parties to explain our actual goals and the purpose for our gathering,” he said.

Besides that, Azmi said Himpun will also meet Islamic religious bodies to discuss ways to strengthen existing laws to tackle the issue of apostasy among Muslims.