News: Malaysia bans all religious dialogue

To curb growing tensions among various religious groups, Malaysia has banned all religious dialogue.

One of the reasons why tensions have been growing is the increasing prominence of off-limit topics in the news and public dialogue. Stories of conversions, apostasy, the demolition of Hindu temples and special Malay rights were once strictly off-limits in the public square. Yet, in the media and through special Inter-Faith Conferences, these prickly issues are increasingly given prominence, adding to the threat certain Muslim groups feel. To cool off, the government has imposed a ban.

The Prime Minister is for the status quo. In fact, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi commented that every state should have laws to restrict the spreading of other faiths among Muslims, specifically mentioning Federal Territories, Penang, Sabah and Sarawak as states that have not done so. He told reporters, "Why are they still not doing it? To those states that have not (legislated such laws), they should consider. Take whatever actions needed." (news article)

Related news articles:
`No' to discussing religion Daily Express News, 22Aug 06
PM wants states to enforce laws on spreading faiths Bernama.com, 21Aug 06
Ban neccessary, but still room to talk New Straits Times, 22Aug 06
Muslim tensions high in KL over `threat' to religion MalaysiaToday, 1 Aug 06
Discussion ban on all, says Radzi theStar, 11 Aug 06