While the anti-vernacular school brigade and other self-proclaimed “nationalists” may be incessantly slamming non-Malays for opting not to send their children to national schools (both primary and secondary) another new major controversy has erupted, clearly highlighting why vernacular schools may be seen as a “safer place” for fearful non-Muslim parents.
In a disturbing recent development in the country, news reports have exposed a clandestine proposal by a well-known Muslim convert preacher for minors to be “surreptitiously” converted to Islam first through the recital of the kalimah syahdah with their eventual registration being postponed till they turn 18.
However, according to the president of the Global Human Rights Federation (GHRF) S. Shashi Kumar, the advice offered by the preacher raises not only "ethical concerns” regarding the conversion of minors discreetly without parental consent but also whether such advice violated the laws of the country and also the Federal Constitution; furthermore, he pointed out that such an action also seemed to blatantly (and cruelly) disregard the rights of parents as their children will be converted without their knowledge.
For the record, the news portal Focus Malaysia had reproduced Article 12 Clause 3 and 4 of the Federal Constitution which clearly specifies that:
Clause (3) – No person shall be required to receive instruction in or to take part in any ceremony or act of worship of a religion other than his own.
Clause (4) – For the purposes of Clause (3), the religion of a person under the age of 18 years shall be decided by his parents or guardian.
Meanwhile, a prominent inter-faith group in the country, the Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism, and Taoism (MCCBCHST) had also voiced similar deep concerns on the controversial TikTok video showing the preacher “teaching” how to convert minors to Islam - behind their non-Muslim parents’ backs!
In a statement by the group addressing the uproar, it stressed that schools are places where knowledge is imparted but if schools themselves indulge in such unethical practice of secretly converting minors, then there is “no longer any safe place for our children!”
Ironically, this latest incident appeared to have inadvertantly shifted the spotlight back on to national schools and the allegations of undue “religious influence” prevalent there; but while there may not have been conversion cases involving pupils reported by mainstream media, the fact remains that it is a major “fear factor" that has made national schools a no-go for many non-Muslim parents.
Truth be told, this “phobia” has been around probably from the seventies, and down the years it has been made worse by some horror stories about how non-Muslim pupils were not permitted to eat in front of Muslims during the puasa month - and even horrendous tales of how some were allegedly asked to eat in the storeroom and beside the school drains!
In direct contrast, the allure of vernacular schools (especially “Chinese schools”) has always been centred on its strict focus on academic excellence, augmented by its dedicated teachers and the opportunity to master Mandarin and Maths; while significantly, it remains free of any form of religious influence!
Yet strangely, hasn’t this been one of those obvious factors that the “anti-vernacular school” lobby often deliberately never acknowledged, choosing instead to side-step; surely they would be aware of this legitimate fear among non-Muslim parents. Imagine, if their own kids were in another country and there were attempts to convert them; as loving parents, won’t they be traumatised too?
A blessing in disguise…?
Perhaps, this latest disturbing “3R” controversy may have been averted if it had not been over-enthusiastically shared and made “viral” on TikTok; but looking at the positive side, the popular preacher’s actions may have helped to unintentionally “publicise” a highly-sensitive underlying reason as to why many non-Malay parents choose not to send their children to national schools. Maybe, this recent incident may have been “God-sent” to them after all!
Information Source: Focus Malaysia, Malay Mail and The Vibes
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