KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 27 — Islam is faced with a psychological war as Muslims continue to be linked to acts of terror such as the recent deadly attacks in Paris, despite the lack of “clear proof,” the Federal Territories Islamic Affairs Department (Jawi) said today.
The federal agency said in its Friday sermon prepared for mosques in the federal territories that the Paris attacks and acts of violence in several other countries are alleged attempts at smearing the reputation of Muslims.
“We are being attacked by the enemies of Islam physically, such as in Syria and Palestine, and we are also being attacked psychologically,” read the sermon text posted on Jawi’s website.
“Just look at the bombing in Paris recently which is attributed to Muslims. Although there has been no clear proof that it was committed by Muslims, the carnage is presented as if Islam and Muslims are responsible for it.
“When compared to the dead in Paris, it is not as many as those who have died in Syria, Palestine and Iraq. Such is the influence of western media which is blinding us to the point that the injustice and brutality faced by our brothers are almost entirely forgotten,” it added.
Despite the distinction, Jawi stressed that the “mimbar” or pulpit “does not agree at all with all forms of cruelty and brutality” against both Muslims and non-Muslims.
The Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais), meanwhile, prepared a sermon calling out the Islamic State (IS) for deviating from the teachings of the Sunni brand of Islam — which Malaysia follows — by branding Muslims from other denominations as “infidels” and waging war against them.
Jais echoed Jawi’s position that Islam is clear in its stand against cruelty and killing without justification of either Muslims or non-Muslims, stressing that Muslims are banned from being part of any extremist action or group while calling on parents, educators and leaders to monitor and prevent the spread of the IS ideology.
In a separate sermon, the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) said those responsible for the recent attacks on Paris and Beirut, and the beheading of Sarawakian Bernard Then by militants in south Philippines, were terrorists and inhumane individuals who do not represent any “race, religion or beliefs” who should face the full force of the law.
Citing a verse from the Quran, Jakim stated that the intentional killing of innocent humans is a “big sin” and denied that Islam is a violent religion as it advocates love and compassion towards all living things.
On November 13, attacks at several locations in Paris involving suicide bombers and gunmen saw 130 people killed and more than 350 injured.
The IS terrorist group later claimed responsibility for the deadly attacks at the capital city of France.
Malaysian police have arrested more than 100 people over suspected ties to militant groups including the Islamic State.
