Interfaith group: 'Reject Quran' text not from us

Muslim NGO group IIS

The Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST) has denied circulating text messages to non-Muslims urging them not to accept translated copies of the Quran from a Muslim NGO.

The message via instant messaging application WhatsApp warned of a clandestine operation to convert non-Muslims through distribution of the Quran

"We issued a statement on this on Feb 9 and we left it at that.

"Anybody doing that (circulating the message) is assuming it is from the council but it is not," said MCCBCHST secretary-general Prematilaka KD Serisena.

The message reads: "Please don't accept it because the minute you do (accept the Quran), you will have to fill in a form claiming it is just for record purposes but actually they will track you down and convert you or change your records stating you are a Muslim.

"Be reminded that the Quran is their holy book and it's not to be touched by others and once it's in our possession we can't dispose it or put it anywhere because it's considered a holy book .
"Please be safe and exercise your rights and politely reject it. Please inform all your loved ones and especially children. Please warn them not to take anything or give any personal or family details to anybody."

The message claimed that copies of the Quran were distributed to the public in Teluk Pulai, Klang.

Muslim NGO: We haven't distributed the books

On Feb 9, MCCBCHST raised concern over the Islamic Information and Services Foundation's (IIS) plan to distribute a million copies of the translation of the Quran in various languages to counter Islamophobia.

The council feared that the distribution of the Quran could be a way to propagate the religion to non-Muslims and induce conversions.

MCCBCHST said it released the scathing statement with careful consideration following rising complaints of "covert conversions" of non-Muslims to Islam.

However, an official with IIS told The Malaysian Insider that it has yet to distribute the Quran and the holy books would only be distributed to religious organisations and not random individuals.

IIS also denied that it would take down personal information of those who accepted the holy books.

Also circulating on WhatsApp are pictures of Muslim evangelical group Multiracial Reverted Muslims' van which has the words "Ask us. Get your free Quran today" on its side.

However, MRM official Firdaus Wong told the The Malay Mail Online that his organistion is not distributing copies of the Quran as alleged in the Whatsapp message.