Muslim advocates usually assert that Muslims are ‘unshakable’ in their conviction to remain believers, especially in the face of ‘pernicious infidel religions’ (particularly Christianity). However, the repeated actions of many Muslim officials and governments stand in stark contrast to such confident assertions.
As to why invasive, totalitarian measures are always necessary to keep the Islamic faithful in line, asking this is Islamophobic, politically incorrect, and in Malaysia, illegal. Such measures, such as the establishment of so-called ‘faith purification centres’ (religious prisons) and now, the Orwellian-named ‘faith rescue unit’, are increasingly commonplace in Malaysia. “[Malaysian state of] Selangor forms “˜faith-rescue unit” for Muslims”, The Malaysian Insider, 26 August 2011:
SHAH ALAM, Aug 26 “” Selangor religious councillor Datuk Hasan Ali has set up a “faith-rescue unit”, or Unit Selamat Aqidah, to look into problems faced by Muslims that could expose them to risks of losing their religious conviction amid allegations of proselytisation in the state.
The PAS leader said his office was concerned about the issue of proselytisation as troubled Muslims could resort to help from other groups that might lead them away from Islam.
“This office takes a serious view of the negative perceptions of the state agencies, bodies and voluntary organisations that appear not to help solve the problems of this group of people.
“This office has taken the initiative to set up the Unit Selamat Aqidah, which, among others, is a service centre to accept complaints and applications to help reduce the burden of life of these people,” Hasan said in a statement
The idea that Islamic government, and Islam itself, are burdens is unthinkable.
He said the unit will work with the Selangor Zakat Board and voluntary organisations concerned about the issue, adding the board will name officials who will process applications for aid.
“It is hoped that Muslims who have received or are thinking of receiving aid from churches or Christian organisations can come to the Islamic Affairs, Malay Culture, Infrastructure and Public Amenities Exco to give their details so that help can be provided immediately,” Hasan said.
You know, Christians with their tendency to help anyone and everyone, regardless of their religion — that’s what makes them so dangerous.
The conservative Muslim leader assured such people that his office would help them to avoid being trapped in moves to make them apostates.
Pro-Umno newspapers have been highlighting alleged attempts by Christians to convert Muslims since the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais) raided an evangelical church in Petaling Jaya on August 3. Proselytising Muslims is an offence in Malaysia.
Umno-owned Utusan Malaysia also reported recently an allegation that underprivileged Muslims living in a squatter area near Old Klang Road were being proselytised by Christians under the guise of free English classes.
The tuition centre was subsequently shut down for purportedly not owning a valid permit.
Lacking the proper permit…how convenient — for the Muslims, of course.
Influential cleric Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin, however, said yesterday that Muslims should take care of their own poor instead of accusing Christians of proselytism when churches helped poor Muslims.
Tensions between Christians and Muslims have heightened after Jais swooped on the Damansara Utama Methodist Church (DUMC), on claims that it was investigating a complaint that Muslims were being converted at a dinner the church was hosting for a local NGO.
Based on the foregoing, it can reasonably concluded that Islamic governments, such as Malaysia’s, whether its ‘moderate’ or otherwise, will inevitably revert to the following two principles:
First, that Muslims are always considered essentially as perennial minors, unable to rule their own lives, untrusted to make their own decisions, and undeserving to have any meaningful freedom. In other words, to live in an Islamic society is to forever be treated as a child. As a Muslim under Muslim rule, your innermost, private thoughts have become the domain and property of the Muslim mullahs, imams, ayatollahs and other overlords who rule in Allah’s name.
Secondly, the idea that one might stray from Islam, may have doubts, and might stop believing in Islam is a condition that is considered exactly like mental illness, or perhaps a drug dependency. Thus under Islam (as in certain leftist Western circles) the idea of ‘thought crime’ becomes not only real, but an offense of the highest order. Indeed, long ago Shariah codified free will, i.e. ‘disbelief’, as the gravest crime in Islam.
These two attributes are inherent of Islam. Not ‘Islamism’, not ‘radical Islam’, not ‘Wahhabism’, but Islam.