PAS Youth will attend the Himpunan Sejuta Umat (Congregation of a Million) on Saturday, saying it fully supports efforts to unify Muslims in the move to "protect, defend and champion" Islam.

In a statement today, its leader Nasruddin Hassan said the event, publicised as an anti-apostasy rally, is a "noble effort" that should be supported by all Muslims.

Making no mention of the anti-Christianisation agenda stated on the event's website, Nasruddin said the main objective of the rally was to "motivate Muslims to rise to defend and champion the Islamic faith".

He said that rally would also unite the community so that Muslims would always be "prepared, ready, sensitive and responsive" to any damage to their faiths.

pas muktamar 130610 nasruddin hassan 2 "Muslims may find it hard to agree with one another due to differences in political ideology and socio-economic and education background.

"But I am certain Muslims can still meet and unite on the issue of faith and the future of Islam, for which a revival is required," he said.

Nasruddin, who has led PAS Youth in many protests against concerts by international artists, added that the opportunity should be approached "honestly" and not as a chance to "trap one another"

"The enemy", he added, was always waiting for the right time to destroy the faith of Muslims through "traps" in the form of "food, fun, family, film and fashion".

PAS political bureau to decide tonight

This stand taken by PAS Youth runs counter to that of Selangor PAS, which yesterday said it would not support the event to be held at the Shah Alam Stadium if the main objective was to attack other religions.

Selangor PAS commissioner Dr Abdul Rani Osman said the Islamic faith faced many other challenges, including secularism and racism, and that focusing just on Christianising Muslims would put different religions at loggerheads.

Abdul Rani also expressed concern that the event could be a front for a political agenda.

Party organ Harakahdaily today reported that the PAS political bureau would discuss the Himpunan Sejuta Umat at a meeting tonight and a decision could be expected about 11pm.

A group of Muslim NGOs are hosting the event, which has ‘Save the Faith of the Umat' as its theme.

According to its website, the main objective of the event is to "gauge the unity among Muslims, particularly against the Christianisation efforts on Aug 3."

Perak mufti among the speakers

This is a reference to a search by the Selangor Islamic Affairs Department (Jais), conducted at a hall in the Damansara Utama Methodist Church compound, where a fund-raising dinner was being held, following a tip-off that proselytising efforts were being carried out by a welfare group.

NGO Harapan Komuniti was, at that time, using the premises to hold a thanksgiving dinner, at which which 12 Muslims attended.

The website lists 25 NGOs that have pledged support for the gathering, but media reports say it will be attended by 1,000 Muslim NGOs.

Besides PAS Youth, the Youth and Wanita wings of Umno are also backing the event, at which the prominent speakers include vocal Perak mufti Harussani Zakaria.

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