Ban Ramadhan bazaars as Muslims seek to convert non-believers, claim pastor

KUALA LUMPUR, June 6 — Beware your local Ramadhan bazaar the next time it comes around, as it may be a ploy to covert you into a Muslim, warned local pastor — Mr. David Goh today.

According to Goh, the annual food bazaar that crops up in local neighborhoods during the fasting month is an Islamic tradition that seeks to convert non-Muslims by encouraging them to break the fast together.

“The ritualistic act of partaking in sustenance after an entire day of abstaining from food or drink serves to remind one of the glory of Allah the Merciful, the Benevolent. As such, the act of breaking the fast together with others is an important point in cultivating the love for their faith, which is part of the Islamic proselytization mission,” warned the pastor.

“This is why there are more Ramadhan bazaars cropping up all over the place every year; it is a big thing for the Muslims, who are using it as a tool to condition and convert other ethnicities and races who flock to the myriad of stalls for local delicacies. By choosing to buy food from a Ramadhan bazaar, you are opening yourself up to the possibility of waking up a Muslim tomorrow,” he added.

While Ramadhan bazaars are no stranger to most Malaysians, who view the evening fairs as a communal gathering of Malaysian cuisine, Goh believes that it is crucial to ban them, so as to prevent non-Muslims from being coaxed into joining the celebrations, which could weaken their faith towards their Gods.

In the Sunday talk, which Goh delivered at the Church of the Holy Infants Mary and Jesus, he claimed that Muslims sought to control and dominate non-Muslims by promoting love for Allah through food.

“Even the simple act of wishing one ‘Selamat Berbuka Puasa’ is forbidden, as it shows tolerance for their proselytization. As Malaysians, we do it because we do not want to be perceived as intolerant, but little do we know that we are encouraging them, promoting the practices of their faith and tarnishing our will. By greeting them warmly, we are saying: ‘Eat and be with Allah.’”

One of the Five Pillars of Islam, Ramadhan is observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting. During the day, Muslims refrain from eating, drinking, smoking and engaging in sexual relations, as well as sinful behaviors such as false speech and fighting, which may negate its spiritual rewards.

“As spiritual rewards are multiplied during Ramadhan, Muslims typically increase their offering of prayers and recitations of the Quran to gain greater favor in the eyes of Allah. This is why they will strengthen their endeavors to convert as many people as they can. We must be cautious when buying food from a Ramadhan bazaar, as tasting or eating their cooking can cause us to forget our cultural practices and lose our faith,” said Goh.

During his talk, Goh has also called for the Government to ban buka puasa feasts at hotels and other public restaurants, as such celebrations of breaking fast is in itself a mockery of the observation. More than that, he has also urged non-Muslims to avoid these places, as “Muslim symbols” such as ketupat, lemang and beef rendang threaten not just their faiths, but also their waistline.