MIRI: The recent report of an attempt by two teachers at a secondary school to convert an underage Christian schoolgirl to Islam dismayed not only the parents but also members of the Dayak community here.
They viewed the attempt as the works of extremists and religious bigots who misused their positions and posting in the state of Sarawak.
“We believe they are being deployed over here for teaching, to educate and guide their students.
“But not to preach and more so, to influence non-Mulsim students and force them to convert,” Dayak Association Miri (DAM) said told The Borneo Post yesterday.
The association reminded the teachers concerned to focus on their actual purpose, that was teaching and educating the students, rather than propagating and forcing their religious belief on non-Muslim underage students.
“We view such teachers as having failed in their noble profession and misuse the trust and responsibilities given to them by the society,” DAM’s spokesman commented.
The spokesman called on the authorities concerned to take action against the two teachers.
This was to avoid creating an atmosphere of mistrust and animosity between the various communities of different cultures and religious beliefs here as they had been living harmoniously all this while.
DAM stressed it was not against the freedom of religion, but if one would choose to embrace another faith, let it be done according to the law of the country, the spokesman clarified.
“DAM condemns, in the strongest possible term, the action of the two teachers”.