THE Malaysian Alliance of Civil Society Organisations (Macsa) strongly condemns the recent attack on two Muslim men by their employer, purportedly for fasting in the month of Ramadan.
Such attacks must be wholeheartedly denounced by all peace-loving Malaysians as hate crimes actuated by Islamophobic sentiments.
Macsa calls on all Malaysians to honour and respect the position of Articles 3 and 11 of the federal constitution that sanctify Islam as the religion of the federation, and the right of all Malaysians to practise our respective religions in peace and harmony.
Macsa reiterates the position under Article 8 of the constitution that prohibits discriminatory practices on the grounds of religion.
Macsa is greatly concerned about the rise in Islamophobia in Malaysia that has shown its ugly facade in many ways, including instances of cogent hatred and prejudices against Islam and Muslims.
As a member of the United Nations, which has adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), Malaysia is duty-bound to adopt its provisions on non-discrimination. In particular, Article 18 of UDHR states that everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion.
Under Article 22 of the Asean Human Rights Declaration, Malaysia must also observe the pledge to eliminate all forms of intolerance, discrimination and incitement of hatred based on religions and beliefs.
Further, as a signatory to the Cairo Declaration on Human Rights in Islam, Malaysia must comply with Article 10, which prohibits the exercise of any form of compulsion or exploitation against anybody in order to convert him to another religion.
Macsa applauds police’s swift mobilisation of investigative processes, including arresting four individuals for purportedly carrying out the attack in the aforementioned incident. The probe must be carried out transparently, and its result made known to the public.
Macsa urges for a comprehensive amendment to our Employment Act 1955 (Act 265) to ensure employees are not discriminated against due to their religious belief or ethnicity.
Macsa demands that the government immediately define and criminalise Islamophobia, so as to protect and assist Muslims in Malaysia who are suffering from the hatred and prejudices against Islam. – The Vibes, April 15, 2021
Lukman Sheriff Alias, founder of the Malaysian Lawyers’ Circle and chairman of Macsa
Assoc Prof Rafidah Hanim Mokhtar, president of the International Women’s Alliance for Family Institution and Quality Education, and co-chairman of Macsa
Macsa is a coalition of civil society organisations with the specific aim of looking into and advocating human rights issues in Malaysia for the UPR Process
