SHAH ALAM, 14 Nov: The Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS) today officially returned the Malay version Bibles to the Bible Society of Malaysia (BSM).
The ceremony was witnessed by the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, and Chief Minister Mohamed Azmin Ali.
All 351 Bibles containing the word ‘Allah’ that were seized early this year were returned to the Association of Churches Sarawak (ACS) during a courtesy call by the ACS Chairman, Most Revered Archbishop Datuk Bolly Lapok at the Shah Alam Palace in Klang this morning.
Mohamed Azmin, in his statement, assured that his administration will continue to spread the teachings of Islam seeing that Islam is a blessing for all mankind, in addition to being an example in supporting temperance and justice.
“This administration will seek ways to improve and promote understanding between the races and religions in Selangor.
“As one of the key elements of this motion, I pledge to return the Bibles to the Christians as it is theirs.
“Now, thanks to the wisdom and foresight of His Royal Highness the Sultan of Selangor, it has become a reality,” he said.
Also present was the ACS Secretary General, Elder Ambrose Linang and the Secretary General of the Council of Churches, Malaysia, Rev Dr Herman Shastri.
The ceremony was also witnessed by the State Government Secretary, Datuk Mohammed Khusrin Munawi; the Selangor Mufti, Datuk Setia Mohd Tamyes Abd Wahid; the Chairman of the Selangor Islamic Religious Council (MAIS), Datuk Setia Mohammad Adzib Mohd Isa, and the Chairman of the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS), Ahmad Zaharin Mohd Saad.
He also thanked His Royal Highness the Sultan of Selangor that provided insight and his best initiative to solve this problem that has persisted for a long time.
“All parties involved, especially MAIS and ACS, have reached a good solution in this Bible issue through sincere effort and confidence to respect the religious and community sensitivities.
“I thank the Chairman of MAIS, Datuk Setia Mohammad Adzib Mohd Isa and Most Revd Archbishop Datuk Bolly Lapok for doing their best to ensure that this issue is solved in the best way possible,” he added.
He said that all parties should respect Islam”s position as the official religion in this state.
However, as the freedom of religion is enshrined in the Federal Constitution, extremism, racial provocation and religious bigots will not be part of the Selangor state administration.
NS
