KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 20 ― PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang should stop putting down other religions and focus on how to win back local Muslim youths who are increasingly being seduced by militant ideologies like that spread by world terror group Islamic State (IS), the Council of Churches of Malaysia (CCM) said today.

The umbrella for Protestant churches reminded the Marang MP that he was a Muslim leader and would serve his community better if he addressed the militancy threat instead of perpetuating unfounded disparaging remarks against Christian missionaries in the country.

“Instead of making unfounded accusations against Christians, Hadi Awang’s time would be better spent if he focuses on why many Muslim youths are becoming radicalised and attracted to ISIS and how his religion should deal with this growing problem.

“A Muslim leader like him should concentrate on these matters within his religion and not criticise other religions,” it said in a statement.

CCM was responding to a report by PAS-owned paper Harakah Daily last Monday quoting Abdul Hadi alleging Christian missionaries to be targeting poorer regions such as Africa and Asia, including spreading their belief in the interiors of Sabah and Sarawak, because Christianity failed in developed nations in the West.

“Hadi Awang seems to ignore that the very thing he accuses Christians of doing are the very same thing Islamic agencies and institutions are doing in our country and beyond,” it said.

It added that there have been “many documented reports of Islamic missionary activities in the country, especially targeting the natives of Sabah and Sarawak to win people to Islam with all kinds of incentives”.