Global Human Rights Federation Condemns Covert Religious Conversions of Minors in Viral TikTok Video
Kuala Lumpur, 6th June 2024 – The Global Human Rights Federation (GHRF) has raised serious concerns following the circulation of a viral TikTok video involving a secondary school teacher and preacher Firdaus Wong. The video, which has sparked significant public outrage, depicts a conversation between the teacher, who is also an Ustaz, and the preacher, discussing the covert conversion of underage students to Islam without their parents’ consent.
The video, lasting 4 minutes and 12 seconds, shows the teacher seeking advice from preacher Wong on handling students in Form 3, Form 4, and Form 5 who wish to convert to Islam. Wong advises the teacher to proceed with the conversion by reciting the kalimah syahdah with the minors but to refrain from taking any pictures, videos, or officially registering the conversions due to the students being underage.
This advice has drawn sharp criticism for promoting actions that seemingly contravene Malaysia’s legal and ethical standards regarding religious conversions. Article 12, Clause 3 & 4 of the Malaysian Federal Constitution explicitly states that the religion of a person under the age of eighteen years shall be decided by their parents or guardians, not by the minors themselves or external parties.
“The actions depicted in the video not only disregard the rights of parents but also raise serious ethical questions about the conversion process,” said S. Shashi Kumar, President of GHRF. “Converting minors without parental consent and encouraging them to engage in religious activities secretly is not only unethical but also illegal under Malaysian law.”
The GHRF’s condemnation highlights the potential breach of trust between educators and parents, emphasizing that the teacher’s involvement in such activities is a serious violation of his duty of care towards his students. The organization also criticized the preacher’s approach, stating that true religious faith should come from genuine belief and understanding, not coercion or manipulation.
“By advocating for these covert conversions, the preacher promotes a superficial and insincere approach to faith, which is against the principles of our law and constitution,” Kumar added.
The GHRF has urged the Ministry of Education, JAKIM, and other Islamic bodies in Malaysia to take responsibility and investigate this matter thoroughly. The Federation also calls on parents to remain vigilant and monitor their children’s activities to prevent such covert conversions.
In the past, the GHRF has lodged several police reports against preacher Firdaus Wong, but no action has been taken thus far. The organization continues to press for accountability and action to address the issue of unlawful conversions in Malaysia, emphasizing the need to protect the rights of minors and uphold ethical standards in religious practices.
As the video continues to circulate, the GHRF’s statement serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining ethical standards and legal compliance in matters of religious conversion, ensuring the rights and beliefs of all individuals, especially minors, are respected and protected.
For more information, please contact: Global Human Rights Federation (GHRF) Email: info@ghrf.org.my
The comment section of the video is worry-some as it has begun to instigate fear to parents and public over the suggestion and activities that is involving school students.
The preacher was also replying to some parents in a sarcastic manner, asking them not to allow their kids in public domain with a warning that “they are everywhere”.
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