Jakim questions human rights claims by NGOs to UN

Muslims in this country have been urged to unite and reject the claims submitted by 54 NGOs to the Human Rights Council in Geneva , Switzerland which will review the human rights periodical records of its members in United Nations next week .

The Friday sermon distributed by the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim ) today questioned claims, which is seen as an attempt to destroy the harmony of society and the position of Islam in the Federal Constitution .

Among the claims include right to religious freedom, the recognition of lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders (LGBT) and alleged discrimination against Muslim women in certain provisions of the Islamic family law.

The report by the NGO coalition also touched allegations of discrimination against Syiah followers and the banning of publications against Islamic law.

"The question here is what is the purpose of these NGOs making these complaints and claims to the Human Rights Council, Geneva?" Jakim questioned through the Friday sermon entitled 'Addressing the concept of freedom' which was posted on its website.

It also pointed out that the NGOs laid claims to push the government to allow the practice of 'absolute freedom' under the guise of human rights. The sermon then called on Muslims to uphold their identity and dignity as well as to express conviction against the matter.

“We urge all parties to reject these claims, so that the religion and community can be saved from such contradictory practices and beliefs. Don’t get involved with such misleading cultures, “stated the sermon.

Jakim also said the ‘subtle’ movement is lead by the enemies of Islam or Muslims.

It therefor considers the negative culture defended by the NGOs a result of the increase of religious pluralism propaganda in the country.

The sermon reminded that in Islam there is no absolute freedom because every action made by humans ‘are guided by the principles and rules set by the Islamic revelation from Allah’.

The sermon also urged the authorities to take action against these NGOs for deliberately making claims to tarnish the image of the country in the eyes of the world. Jakim suggests these NGOs should be investigated to ensure they are not funded by external parties.

However Jakim is convinced the Human Rights Council in Geneva was rational and will not be swayed by the negative report.