Muslim leader warns against Christian evangelism in tsunami disaster zone

Muslim leader warns against Christian evangelism in tsunami disaster zone

01:32 AM EST Jan 15

BANDA ACEH, Indonesia (CP)

A senior Islamic leader warned foreign relief workers Friday of a serious backlash from Muslims if they bring Christian proselytizing to tsunami-struck Sumatra along with humanitarian help.

At Friday prayers in the main mosque of Banda Aceh, the provincial capital, a Muslim leader warned against any attempt by Christian aid workers to evangelize among tsunami survivors. Indonesia is the world’s most populous Muslim nation, and Aceh is particularly conservative.

“All non-governmental organizations, either domestic or international, with hidden agendas coming here with humanitarian purposes but instead proselytizing, this is what we do not like,” said Dien Syamsuddin, secretary general of the Indonesian Council of Ulemas, or religious scholars.

Muslim leader warns against Christian evangelism in tsunami disaster zone