He said it is also an offence under the Non-Islamic Religions (Control of Propagation Among Muslims) Enactment 1988.

Aziz was referring to a poster being circulated online regarding the “Projek Artikel 11 Jom Ziarah” programme organised by Impact Malaysia, which comes under the youth and sports ministry.

He said the programme invited young people in Malaysia interested in learning more about different religions to join an event at a church in Klang tomorrow.

“Mais is of the view that this programme has elements to attract the interest of youths, especially Muslim youths, to study or acquire knowledge related to religions other than Islam.

“If this kind of programme is allowed to be organised, it can subtly and unconsciously influence the thoughts of Muslim youths to be inclined towards a religion other than Islam,” he said in a statement today.

Aziz said Mais was of the opinion that understanding, tolerance and community unity were important to ensure harmony and peace.

However, he said, the programme of learning other religions other than Islam in churches or houses of worship of other religions required certain controls and restrictions to ensure that there was no element of persuading Muslims to be inclined and interested towards religions other than Islam, and involvement in the rituals of other religions.

He said Mais also took note of youth and sports minister Hannah Yeoh’s latest statement in Parliament that the programme, which was originally open to everyone, was now limited to non-Muslim youths.

“However, a check by Mais has so far found that posters and advertisements on social and electronic media have not been amended to show that this programme is only for non-Muslims.

“Mais advises any organiser whether from the public sector, NGOs or other organisations who wishes to hold activities and programmes on the basis of promoting unity and harmony to be more careful and to take care of the sensitivities of Muslims and the community,” he said.