Islamic preacher gives directives to secretly convert non-Muslim minors

After several complaints and a video that went viral, the police opened an investigation against the controversial leader Firdaus Wong. In a video that went viral on social media, he talks to a teacher giving instructions on how to make children pray and hide their conversion from their parents. Malaysian activist: the teacher's behaviour is also contrary to the 'relationship of trust' with families. 

Kuala Lumpur (AsiaNews) - The Malaysian police have opened an investigation against the famous and controversial Islamic preacher Firdaus Wong, who allegedly promoted a clandestine tutorial dedicated to teachers and religious leaders aimed at the "surreptitious conversion" of non-Muslim minors.

In a video that recently went viral on social media and online in the country, he proposes a sort of guideline to push children and young people to embrace the Muslim faith, often unaware of their own parents.

The full extent of the matter has only exploded in the last few days following the opening of the investigation; However, there are already several reports presented to the police by NGOs and activist groups against the preacher, in many cases with the support of parents of non-Muslim families with children enrolled in public schools.

In a statement released today by the media, lawyers Rajesh Nagarajan and Sachpreetraj Singh say they are "pleased to inform the public that the police have finally opened an investigative case against Firdaus Wong under Section 505(c) of the Penal Code". According to the legal duo, representing complainant Arun Dorasamy, the video also contained advice on how children can pray in secret and hide the conversion from their parents.

The Advisory Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism had also previously expressed its opinion, saying it was disconcerted by the video, which it had defined as "immoral, unconstitutional and illegal".

The Council also said that Firdaus Wong's directions go against the fundamental freedoms outlined in the Federal Constitution of Malaysia. The leaders of the institution finally specified that, following the viral spread of the video on social media, numerous complaints were filed with the police against the Islamic preacher, including one presented by the Council itself representing Arun Dorasamy.

The video, lasting approximately 4 minutes and 12 seconds, shows a secondary school teacher, who is at the same time an ustaz (religious professor, the title is honorific) of the institute, engaged in an intense conversation with the preacher Firdaus Wong. The debate centers on the methods and indications through which it is possible to convert middle and high school students from the different modules.

In particular, the preacher advises the ustaz to "convert" minors by asking them to first recite the "kalimah syahdah" (article of faith). He then goes on to advise not to take videos or photographs of the students while they recite the formula, since they are under 18 and are minors and are liable to report.

“If there are such requests from these minors, let the teachers make them 'convert first' by reciting the kalimah syahdah. And then we need to teach them the religion of Islam - says Firdaus Wong - while they continue their education and to officially convert them after they reach the age of consent of 18".

Interviewed by AsiaNews Peter John Jaban, vice-president of the Global Human Rights Foundation Malaysia (Ghrf), underlines that "the advice or suggestion put forward by the preacher raises not only ethical concerns regarding the conversion of minors and without parental consent".

His indications, continues the activist, are also "contrary to the laws of Malaysia and also to the Constitution of the Federation". According to Jaban, the secondary school teacher's pattern of behavior raises questions about his "duty of care" towards the students who are entrusted to his care and supervision.

Engaging in discussions about religious conversion without involving parents is seen as a violation of the trust and responsibility required of him “as an educator. Furthermore, the preacher's suggestion to first convert minors and then teach them Islam - warns Jaban - raises doubts about the authenticity and sincerity of the religious conversions themselves".

Finally, he underlined how by supporting "hidden conversions" the Islamic leader seems to be promoting a superficial and false approach, which goes against the principles of the law and the Constitution.

“We have filed many police complaints against this preacher in the past, but so far the police have not taken any action. The prevalence of illegal conversions in Malaysia - he comments - is a serious problem that must be addressed to protect the rights of minors and uphold ethical standards in religious conversions themselves".