KUALA LUMPUR – It is hypocritical to politicise the conversion of minors to Islam as the same questions are not posed about conversion to other religions, said preacher Firdaus Wong.
He was responding to civil society group Global Human Rights Federation (GHRF), which expressed alarm over Firdaus’ TikTok video where he explained to a man how non-Muslim children can be converted to Islam covertly.
Speaking to Scoop, he said some non-Muslim children have a curiosity towards Islam given that the religion is “attacked on the news”.
“They (children) did their own research and found that the religion is good and there’s truth to it, unlike how it’s portrayed by the media.
“Besides that, another factor is they socialise (with other Muslims) and notice the logic of having faith without an object to worship, as well as how devoted Muslims are.”
He also suggested that backlash over his comments in the TikTok video shows a double standard towards Islam.
“Many teenagers were converted to other religions, but we rarely hear complaints from parents. Why is it politicised when it involves Islam?”
When asked if the situation is reversed, Firdaus merely said it would be violating the law.
Earlier, GHRF called on religious authorities and the Education Ministry to investigate allegations of non-Muslim school students being coerced into converting to Islam – as a response to Firdaus’ video.
Its president, S. Shashi Kumar, said this violates parents’ prerogative to determine their children’s religion below the age of 18.
He added that the organisation has lodged many reports against the preacher, but police have not taken any action. – June 6, 2024