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June 29, 2006
Malaysia: Muslim Plan To Convert Minorities Criticized
Channel News Asia reports that the Islamist Pan-Malaysia Islamic Party (PAS) wishes to convert indigenous peoples in Kelantan state to Islam, by offering bribes including cash and offers of four wheel drive vehicles.
PAS only has one state, that of Kelantan, under its control. The party wants all of Malaysia to be Islamic.
Their plan, announced by the Kelantan state government on Monday, had been to convert the "Orang Asli", the native peoples who are all that remain of Malaysia's indigenous population before Muslims colonised the region in the 14th century. Traditionally the Orang Asli do not follow the mainstream religions.
The bribes would be paid for by the state to Muslim preachers who married or converted members of the indigenous population, who are traditionally animists, who consult shamans who commune with the spiritual world.
Earlier today, rights activists in Malaysia condemned the plan. S, Arutchelven from the group Voice of the Malaysian People told Agence France Presse: "This is a violation of human rights. It looks like religion is being made a commodity. Indigenous people have their own beliefs and culture. We urge the Kelantan government to stop this programme."
A commissioner with the government's Human Rights Commission of Malaysia, Denison Jayasooria stated: "The utilisation of state resources as a motivation for preachers to convert ... is an abuse of power."
Posted by Giraldus Cambrensis at June 29, 2006 11:35 PM
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