KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 15 — Several non-Muslims friendly to the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) government are expected to speak at a rally this Saturday in support of PAS' controversial Bill to strengthen the Shariah courts.

The Opposition Islamist party’s information chief Nasrudin Hassan said the keynote speakers are from an organisation calling itself “Barisan Nasional Non-Muslim Penceramah Association” and “a Hindu organisation from Pahang”.

“I want to stress that this rally is a gathering of the umat, be it Muslims or non-Muslims,” Nasrudin told reporters here.

“This is the people's issue, a national issue, so as we stated from the beginning we open the gathering to all,” he added.

The PAS leader is confident that the presence of the non-Muslims speakers will show to all naysayers that its bid to elevate the status of the Shariah courts with stronger punitive powers has the support of all races.

PAS anticipates a turnout of 200,000 people for the gathering that will be held in the city centre this weekend.

Nasrudin said both the police and City Hall had approved their request to use Padang Merbok for the rally, which will start 2pm and is expected to end at 11pm.

Saturday's rally, organised by a coalition of 10 non-government organisations, is the culmination of PAS' persistent campaign to muster support for its proposed amendment to the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965.

The Bill had been tabled and deferred in the Dewan Rakyat twice last year but is expected to be debated when federal lawmakers meets next month.

The Bill's introduction met strong opposition from lawmakers from both sides of the divide and non-Muslim voters.

Nasrudin said today Saturday's gathering will act as a continuation of his party's commitment to "engage and educate" the mass about the Bill.

"It's a way for us to convince the people that we Muslims only want the space to practise our faith just as how followers of other faiths are allowed to practise theirs as provided by the Constitution," he said.

Nasrudin said Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom, the minister in the Prime Minister’s Department in charge of Islamic affairs has confirmed his attendance.

"He is coming in his capacity as a minister," the PAS information chief said.

PAS will deploy up to 3,000 of its security marshalls for the rally. Nasrudin said the party will guarantee that Saturday's event will be peaceful.

"It will be a relaxing event, family oriented," he said.