Islamic Authority in Malaysia Bans Moderate Muslim Mosque

Ahmadiyya Muslim Community persecuted for its spiritual beliefs and threatened with imprisonment and fines.

The flag of Malaysia

(PETALING JAYA, Malaysia ) - The Selangor Council of Islamic Religion in Malaysia has issued a notice ordering the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Malaysia (AMC Malaysia) to immediately stop offering Friday Prayer services at the national AMC headquarters, the Bait-us-Salam Mosque.

Various other activities of AMC Malaysia have also been banned under the terms of the notice and members of the AMC have been threatened with imprisonment and fines if they do not comply.

The Selangor Council of Islamic Religion which is also known as ‘Majlis Agama Islam Selangor’ (MAIS) is the highest Islamic authority in the Selangor State apart from the Sultan of Malaysia.

On April 24, 2009 several MAIS officers came to the Bait-us-Salam Mosque and issued a notice under the ‘Selangor State Enactment on the Administration of Islamic Law 2003.’ The notice stated:

1) AMC Malaysia no longer has permission to offer Friday prayers at the Bait-us-Salam Mosque.

2) AMC Malaysia no longer has official permission to use Bait-us-Salam as a Mosque.

3) AMC Malaysia no longer has permission to conduct activities related to the mosque such as appointing officers and managing the premises.

Furthermore a notice has been placed around the Mosque stating ‘Qadiani Bukan Agama Islam.’ This translates as ‘Ahmadiyya is not an Islamic Religion.’

In its order, the MAIS has stated that failure by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community to comply with the terms of the order will result in imprisonment of up to one year and/or a fine up to RM3000 (~$850 USD).

This State-sanctioned ban of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Mosque is symptomatic of wide-ranging human rights abuses in Malaysia, particularly against vulnerable religious minorities.

AMC USA calls on the United States Government to urge the Malaysian Government to repeal the MAIS notice and bring Malaysian laws in accord with basic international human rights norms.

Background on AMC
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community (AMC) is a dynamic, reformist and fast growing international movement within Islam. Founded in 1889, AMC spans over 180 countries with membership exceeding tens of millions. AMC USA, established in 1921, is the first American-Muslim organization.

AMC is the only Islamic organization to believe that the long-awaited messiah has come in the person of Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas (1835-1908) of Qadian.

Ahmadas claimed to be the metaphorical second coming of Jesusas of Nazareth and the divine guide, whose advent was foretold by the Prophet of Islam, Muhammadsa.

AMC believes that God sent Ahmadas, like Jesusas, to end religious wars, condemn bloodshed and reinstitute morality, justice and peace.

Ahmadas’s advent has brought about an unprecedented era of Islamic revival and moderation. He divested Islam of fanatical beliefs and practices by vigorously championing Islam’s true and essential teachings.

Source: AMC