THE organiser of a congress to discuss the teaching of Jawi in vernacular schools should call it off, said Mujahid Yusof Rawa, in light of the emotions it triggered.

The organisers should take into account the high court’s ruling on November 28 that Jawi is part of the national language, said the minister in charge of Islamic affairs.

The high court ruling follows a suit filed by Gerakan challenging the teaching of Jawi in vernacular schools.

“We wonder why there are those who insist on prolonging the Jawi issue by holding protests,” Mujahid said in a statement posted on Facebook today.

He said the argument that Jawi is a subtle way of converting non-Muslim pupils to Islam is baseless as its aim is to introduce pupils to “the country’s heritage and culture.”

Mujahid said the Jawi opponents should be open-minded about the matter.

“The congress will only trigger negative reactions from those who support the teaching of Jawi. That is why I urge all the parties involved to go back to the negotiating table and find a common ground to resolve the issue,” he said

On Monday, PKR president Anwar Ibrahim called on all factions in the Jawi dispute, including Dong Zong, to call off their gatherings and return to the negotiating table.

Dong Zong is set to hold a gathering against the teaching of Jawi in vernacular schools this weekend, despite fears it could lead to a backlash from right-wing Malay organisations.

The Port Dickson MP also said the controversy surrounding the move could stir political and racial sentiments. – December 25, 2019.