Kuala Lumpur (Oct 8): People will no longer live harmoniously and through religious guidance if ideologies like liberalism and plurality of religion are allowed to spread, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said on Monday.

He said followers of these beliefs condoned free mingling of the sexes, same sex marriages, apostasy and deviant behaviour “ostensibly in the name of individual freedom and human rights”.

Islamic scholars and groups as well as the government should therefore work together to face such challenges, he said when opening the two-day National  Islamic  Missionary Seminar  at the Putra World Trade Centre.

“Upholding the teachings of Islam is the shared responsibility of the missionaries, Islamic associations, religious leaders and the government. We have to carry this responsibility as well as we can.

“Especially at a time when Muslims are faced with various challenges – from the aspects of culture, ideology and faith,” he added.

Muhyiddin stressed that the teachings of Islam inculcate discipline in relationships between individuals, family and society.

“(But) it is no longer put in practice. In fact, it is regarded as something that has gone out of fashion and curtailing one’s freedom,” he said.

The deputy prime minister noted that anti-religious sentiments have long spread through Western countries, citing a 19th century book by Friedrich Nietzsche titled “The Gay Science” where the German author says “God is dead”.

He reminded missionaries that they face a mammoth task in spreading the “true teachings of Islam” to prevent such provocative beliefs from seeping into the society.

Muhyiddin said the government will continue to support efforts to beef up missionary work. It will, through the National Education Blueprint, ensure that Islamic Studies remain a crucial component in moulding individuals.