UiTM denies forcing non-muslim students to attend Islamic programme

SHAH ALAM: Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) has denied claims that non-Muslim students were forced to take part in an Islamic programme during its Identity and Spirituality Camp Series 20 on Jan 11.

In a statement on Tuesday (Jan 14), the university said that the programme, held at Masjid Al-Wathiqu Billah Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin, UiTM Shah Alam, involved 2,447 first-semester students, including 34 non-Muslim students from the Kesatria Negara 1, Kembara 1, and Pancaragam 1 co-curricular courses.

"The carefully planned activities, which focused on character, intellectual, and spiritual development, reflect UiTM’s commitment to producing well-rounded students with integrity who are ready to contribute to society,” it said.

According to UiTM, Muslim students participated in a lecture on funeral management in the mosque’s main hall, while non-Muslim students attended a talk on social ethics, which was held at 2.30pm at Dewan Muktamar.

"The social ethics talk aimed to provide an understanding of ethical values in social settings, such as at home, in the workplace and in public spaces. After the talk, non-Muslim students were treated to afternoon tea before being allowed to return home,” said the statement.