KUCHING: The state Islamic Religious Department (Jais) does not sanction acts by individuals or groups who force or entice non-Muslims into converting.
Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Office (Islamic Affairs) Datuk Daud Abdul Rahman stressed that no Islamic agency in the state is involved in such activities.
“The state Jais is not aware of individuals or groups who are propagating Islam to non-Muslims. However, we believe those who want to convert, it must be on their own free will,” Daud told The Borneo Post recently.
He pointed out that any activities in Sarawak by Islamic movements not registered with the state Jais are considered illegal and should be reported to the department or the police.
Daud, who is also Tupong assemblyman, was responding to a report that villagers from an Iban longhouse in Sungai Mujong, Baleh had converted to Islam because they were promised RM100 each, housing lots and other assistance.
Land Development Minister and Baleh assemblyman Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Jemut Masing had voiced concern over the alleged incident due to the manner of the conversion, which used inducements, rather than letting the individuals find their own spiritual conviction and faith.
On Jan 18, Daud had said that the state Jais does not sanction the work of Pusat Dakwah Serantau, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) based in Selangor, which claimed to be propagating Islam in rural longhouses.
He called on those who knew about the activities of Islamic NGOs in the state to report it to the police or Jais for appropriate action.
Daud added that activities by such movements are considered illegal because they are not registered with the state Jais.
He stated that Jais’ policy has always been not to propagate Islam among non-Muslim Sarawakians as it is the state government’s policy to keep intact the racial and religious harmony of Sarawak’s 27 ethnic groups.
“We believe that if a person is sincere to embrace Islam then we expect them to come to any Jais office and make their intention known.
“And we will scrutinise their intention before they are to be converted.
“For us in Sarawak, we want to preserve the present peace and harmony among races and religions. And for that we will not go around to the longhouses to propagate Islam to our non-Muslim brothers and sisters,” he stressed.