Christian prayers ‘unacceptable’ at event but move on, says religious activist

Zaim Ibrahim Zaim Ibrahim Updated 4 years ago · Published on 2 Oct 2019 7:46PM · 13 Comments

Wan Ji Wan Hussin says reciting Christian prayers in front of a majority Muslim audience are not acceptable, but it should not be blown out of proportion. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, October 2, 2019.

AN INDEPENDENT religious activist described the alleged reciting of Christian prayers at the Methodist Girls’ School in Penang as “unacceptable” but urged all parties concerned not to sensationalise the issue any further.

Wan Ji Wan Hussin told The Malaysian Insight he did not agree with alleged events, given the majority of its students and teachers are Muslims.

“They should not be reciting Christian prayers, but I also think this issue is deliberately magnified.

“Naturally, any sentiment that could lead to speculation in the name of religion should be avoided as it has a negative impact on the relationship between fellow Malaysians,” the 37-year-old Wan Ji said.

The school came into the spotlight when a police report was lodged by a local man, Muhsin Abdul Latheef, 35, last Friday, claiming that Christian prayers were held during a prize-giving ceremony.

In his report, Muhsin accused the school of attempting to proselytise Muslim pupils there, adding there were 347 Muslim pupils and only 161 non-Muslims.

He also said there were 26 Muslim teachers and 14 non-Muslim teachers.

He added he had proof of the incident in the form of a video clip that showed a woman reciting a prayer, while saying the words “My Lord”.

The video is alleged to be a Christian prayer. However, the video’s legitimacy has not been independently verified.

Earlier today, Penang Deputy Chief Minister II P. Ramasamy said the offending passage read out during the event was a speech on unity, nothing more.

Ramasamy, who is in charge of the state education portfolio, said he was informed by the school authorities that the unity speech was read out because there had been some racial issues in the school.

“On that day, there had been no prayers at all. What they had was only a speech on unity which the school administration and board had planned.

“Two speeches were assigned to speakers: one to a Christian member of the school board and another to a Muslim member.

However, the Muslim member had not prepared a speech on time and only the speech by the Christian member was delivered,” Ramasamy said.

Wan Ji said that if the passage only had the words: “My Lord”, it was not wrong for Muslims.

“It may not even refer to Christian prayer. In Malay terms, there is a word ‘Tuhan’ that can be attributed to Allah,” he said.

Other religious activists in the state told The Malaysian Insight the incident had offended Muslims, more so when the event was largely attended by Muslim teachers, students, and parents.

International Association of Spreading Islam (IPSI) president Kamarudin Abdullah said based on the video clip that’s been making the rounds, a Bible verse was recited at the event.

“There is a recitation of Psalm 111, verses 1 to 10 from the Bible (in the video clip),” Kamarudin said.

“When there is a Bible reading at an official school event where there are majority Muslims, it breaks Education Ministry rules,” he said, adding this went against the norms of Malaysian society.

“Official government programmes often have prayer recitations in Islam.

“The question is: why is there suddenly a Christian prayer, while the majority of students and teachers are Muslims?” he added.

UMMAH Penang chapter chairman Akhir Che Mat said Muslims should be concerned as prayer is a big issue.

“It is very serious because it has never happened before and it is a concern for the Muslim community. This is a threat to the Islamic faith, Akhir said.

“Parents send children to this school for quality education and the future of their children, but their hopes are dashed by irresponsible actions.” – October 2, 2019.

Sign up or sign in here to comment.

Comments

  • This is a Christian School . Surprised to see Muslim enrolling their kids to the school.

    Posted 4 years ago by Charis W · Reply

  • Likewise we should not accept doa prayers in schools.

    Posted 4 years ago by Rupert Lum · Reply

    • No. Two wrongs won't make a right!

      Posted 4 years ago by Chee yee ng · Reply

  • I hope Tuanku Sultanah Johor and if not mistaken our present Queen who studied in the Christian Missionery schools to come out and tell these retards off!

    Posted 4 years ago by Chee yee ng · Reply

  • Is this data correct?

    Posted 4 years ago by Julian Nagelsmann · Reply

    • In his report, Muhsin accused the school of attempting to proselytise Muslim pupils there, adding there were 347 Muslim pupils and only 161 non-Muslims.
      He also said there were 26 Muslim teachers and 14 non-Muslim teachers.

      Posted 4 years ago by Julian Nagelsmann · Reply

  • the word my lord and obviously the cross sign can make muslim so paranoid and confused?

    Posted 4 years ago by . . · Reply

  • muslim student shld go to tahfiz school leave the christian base school for non muslim student to gain Proper Education n Knowledge Non muslim student need good real education for their Future bread n butter. muslims can get free from govt they dont need to study .

    Posted 4 years ago by Mindy Singh · Reply

  • religion n education are 2 separate issues. NO ANY PRAYERS SHLD BE HELD IN SCHOOLS . muslims shld Pray at home or in the mosque not in schools where students are prepared for Future bread n butter.

    Posted 4 years ago by Mindy Singh · Reply

  • Sweeping it under the carpet again?

    Posted 4 years ago by Tanahair Ku · Reply

  • You got to be kidding me.... so its ok for the Mullah to say a prayer in the company of all manner of religious people but its not ok for Muslims to be in the gathering where the prayers of other religion are said.... maybe we should sponsor free ear plugs for Muslims .... especially UmnoPas Muslims

    Posted 4 years ago by Jeffrey Ng · Reply

  • Get your bearings right, Mr No Clue?. Read the name of the school and look up your dictionary what the Missionary means? What the school needs to do is to tighten its input students and all those who actually oppose such prayers are always welcomed to look for another school. Pure & simple. Leave the school alone for enough bullying has been done even though it has not done anything wrong! Amen!

    Posted 4 years ago by Amigo sabah · Reply

  • Here is a possible solution. Make MGS a tahfiz school.

    Posted 4 years ago by Yoon Kok · Reply