Syed Saddiq disagrees ban on Muslims visiting other places of worship
SHAH ALAM - Muda President Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman disagrees with the rules set by the Selangor government to ban programmes involving Muslims visiting other houses of worship.
He was commenting on a by State Islamic Religious Affairs, Consumer Affairs and Halal Industry exco Mohd Zawawi Ahmad Mughni over the ban.
Syed Saddiq said he had visited other places of worship several times before and he found there was no agenda to influence Muslims in this country.
"We live in a multi cultural society and religions," he said.
"Programmes and efforts to encourage harmony and understanding between the rakyat should be well received by all parties, at all levels.
"As Muda president, I would like to invite more than 100,000 party members to visit any house of worship. This country is our home and we live in it together," he said in a statement today.
On Wednesday, Zawawi said programmes involving Muslims visiting other houses of worship are prohibited in Selangor.
Zawawi said that even if he welcomes the programmes infused with understanding and tolerance between religions held by NGOs, it should follow the Selangor Islamic Religious Department's (Jais) guidelines, especially in legal aspects.
Meanwhile, Syed Saddiq said that Muda is made up of members from various background and there has never been a problem while working together during community programmes.
He said Muda members, regardless of religion and race, had cleaned up mosques, temples, churches, gurdwaras and other houses of worship in flood-affected areas.
'I am confident that for Muslims, their faith is not affected in the slightest to the point where they want to convert to other religion.
"As the people's representative, I have visited other places of worship several times before and there was no agenda to influence Muslims in this country," he explained.
Syed Saddiq added that he was invited because he represent the people regardless of their religion, race and political understanding as the wlefare of the people is his responsibility.
He also questioned if the enactment would be used against the country's great leaders if they visit other houses of worship.
"Malaysia is strong due to unity and from this unity comes prosperity," he said.
On Monday, a local media portal reported an NGO had under the Youth and Sports Ministry had organised 'Projek Artikel 11: Ziarah Gereja' programme inviting non-Christian youths to visit the Church.
The programme was held with purpose to give exposure of religious similarities and differences through visits and volunteering activities.
However, on Tuesday, the Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh said the programme was not intended to give impression that all religions practiced by Malaysians are the same.
