Source: www.persecution.org
Date: August 23, 2024
Masjid Sri Sendayan
Malaysia (International Christian Concern) — Anwar Ibrahim’s Madani government is steadily working to centralize Islam in Malaysia. Efforts to impose a “Vatican-style” authority could have far-reaching implications for religious freedom, especially for Christians and followers of other minority religions.
The government, which already severely punishes Muslims who convert to Christianity, recently introduced bills that restrict the practice of Islam in Malaysia to specific Islamic schools of thought, namely Al-Asyairah, Al-Maturidiah, and Syafie Madhab. By excluding other Islamic sects, the government could potentially punish anyone who deviates from these forms of Islam.
Nearly 60% of Malaysians are Sunni Muslims, and only 9% are Christians. The country also has a large Buddhist population. Although Christianity is not illegal, churches often have challenges obtaining building permits. While churches exist for people who speak a variety of languages, no Malay churches meet openly, as it is illegal for Malays to convert to Christianity. When discovered, authorities send Malay Christians to “reeducation camps” where they are forced, through torture and propaganda, to return to Islam.
In addition to the government’s proposals, the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (JAKIM) is gaining significant influence in national policymaking. It has also obtained censorship powers over social media, allowing it to declare Islamic teachings or discussions as deviant.
The government is also seeking to increase the sentencing powers of Sharia courts and expand their jurisdiction to include criminal matters. If these changes are implemented, Sharia courts would have equal status to secular criminal courts, effectively establishing a uniform Islamic criminal justice system.