Tawau: Groups claiming to represent the Muslim community here have issued a memorandum to oppose the Christmas and New Year celebrations organised by the office of Tawau Member of Parliament Datuk Christina Liew.The groups, comprising associations and political parties in the district, said in a statement that they strongly oppose the celebrations, claiming that they contain elements to spread Christianity.
Among the elements, they said, is a speech by a representative of a Bishop during the celebrations and a choir performance they claimed could preach the Christian faith to Muslims.
They also said the celebrations failed to respect other religions, especially Islam, and that it was organised openly in public which could raise suspicion about its main objective.
"We oppose the concept of these carnivals and (we demand) they must be replaced with one that is more open and appropriate with the society and all religions.
"We're giving a strong warning that this must not be repeated," the groups said in a joint statement.
They were Parti Warisan Tawau, Parti Warisan Kalabakan, Parti Keadilan Rakyat Tawau, Parti Keadilan Rakyat Kalabakan, Umno Tawau, Umno Kalabakan, Persatuan Kebajikan dan Prihatin Dakwah Sabah, Baadan Wakaf Tawau, Masjid Al-Kauthar Tawau, Pertubuhan USIA Tawau, Wahyu Ilahi Learning Centre, Persatuan Putera Puteri Islam Bahagian Tawau, Jawatankuasa Imam-Imam Tawau, Al-Quds Umrah & Tours Tawau, Parti Islam SeMalaysia Tawau (PAS), Gengstreet Dakwah, Pertubuhan Peguam Muslim Tawau, Pertubuhan Gerak Silat Tawau, Pertubuhan Khairun Nisa Tawau and Pertubuhan Pembangunan Islam Sabah.
