KUANTAN, May 13 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said Islam and its followers are now being tested by new threats under the guise of humanism, secularism, liberalism and human rights. 

He said this mindset appeared to be becoming a new form of religion which was fast expanding locally and abroad.

“They call it human rightism, where the core beliefs are based on humanism and secularism as well as liberalism. 

“It's deviationist in that it glorifies the desires of man alone and rejects any value system that encompasses religious norms and etiquettes. They do this on the premise of championing human rights,” he said.

Najib said this when opening the 57th national-level Quran Recital Assembly at the Dewan Jubli Perak Sultan Ahmad Shah here tonight.

Also present were his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, Pahang Mentri Besar  Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob and Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom.

He said there were efforts to spread the deviant thinking by relating it to the sanctity of Islam and this was the most dangerous threat to the Islamic faith.

 “So today, once again, we stress that Islam that is embraced, practised and upheld as the national religion in Malaysia is the Islam which is based on the Sunni sect as propagated by the Prophet Muhammad and his friends.

“We will not tolerate any demands or right to apostasy by Muslims, or deny Muslims their right to be governed by Shariah Courts and neither will we allow Muslims to engage in LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) activities,” he said.

He said as a Islamic country which upheld  the Maqasid Shariah (the implementation of Shariah laws based on the Quran and Sunni doctrine), Malaysia emphasised the welfare of every individual regardless of race, language or  religion.

He said justice, fairness and excellence were features of moderation used in the implementation of human rights in this country.

He said the understanding of extreme human rights was made moderate within the law, constitution and cultural values of the country.

The Prime Minister said understanding of the true and all-encompassing Islam was the basis of the country's strength and the people should attempt to understand the Quran according to the teachings of Prophet Muhammad who emphasised faithfulness only to Allah and brotherhood among Muslims.

 “As such, Muslims must continue understanding the words of the Quran,” he said.

In accordance with the theme of the assembly, “Moderation the Pillar of Unity of Muslims”, he said it was closely linked to the moderation that was taught and lived by Prophet Muhammad.

 “Going by his example, our country has long placed harmony and justice as well as unity among the people and in Malaysia as the country's main agenda.

 “This is in line with our efforts to make Malaysia a modern and progressive Muslim country to attain the status of high-income, developed nation by 2020. — Bernama