‘Islam’s supremacy supersedes all other religions’
PUCHONG: The government should uphold the supremacy of Islam as the only true religion above all other religions, said a PAS leader.
Responding to calls for other religions to be taught in schools, PAS central committee member Dato Mohd Khairuddin Aman Razali said that teaching other religions among school students may promote the idea of religious pluralism among Muslims and affect Islam’s special position in the Constitution.
“Interfaith understanding runs contrary to Article 11 (4) of the Federal Constitution which controls the propagation of other religion among Muslims.
“Such an idea may promote religious pluralism among Muslims unless the government is firm in promoting the supremacy and the absolute truth of Islam, which supersedes other religions and protect Islam’s special position in the Federal Constitution,” Khairuddin told Harakah.
Early this month, Malaysian Youth Council (MBM) president Jufitri Joha urged the government to teach other religions in schools to foster unity and promote religious understanding among people.
Education Minister Maszlee Malik shot down the idea saying the ministry preferred schools and universities to organise more cross-cultural programmes, as it was more appropriate than learning other religions since it could bring about more detrimental effects rather than positive ones.
Maszlee’s decision was backed by the Islamic Development Department of Malaysia (Jakim).
However, Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST) backed MBM’s calls, saying everyone has the right to learn about other religions to promote unity and understanding.
Khairuddin, however, urged the government to consider teaching Islam to non-Muslim students in primary and secondary schools so that they understand the religion and Muslims better.
“This would be a better way to strengthen unity and promote harmony in a nation that puts Islam as the religion of the Federation. “This is will show that Islam promotes peace among its adherents and history has shown that everyone is free to practice their own religion in an Islamic country,” said the Kuala Nerus MP.
