Tuesday, January 12, 2010
(graphic; IslamTomorrow.com)
At least nine churches in Malaysia have been vandalized this month since the country’s highest court overturned a ban on the use of the word “Allah” by non-Muslims. Malaysia’s High Court ruled in favor of the Catholic Church on December 31, allowing it to use “Allah” for Christian services. Muslims, who make up 60% of the local population, have insisted “Allah” can only refer to the god of Islam. In the Islamic countries of Indonesia, Egypt and Syria, members of Christian minorities are free to the word “Allah” to refer to God.
Some of the vandalized churches have been subject to arson attacks. Other assaults have been less severe, such as paint thrown on doorways.
The High Court has suspended its ruling while the government prepares its appeal. Government officials have condemned the violence, while disagreeing with the court’s decision and siding with the Muslim majority on the use of “Allah.” Most Muslims are ethnic Malays, whereas the rest of the nation consists of Chinese and Indian minorities, who are Christian, Hindu and Buddhist.
-Noel Brinkerhoff
Ninth Church Vandalized in Malaysia as Tensions Rise (by Seth Mydans, New York Times)
Churches Attacked in Malaysian ‘Allah’ Dispute (by Seth Mydans, New York Times)
Court Suspends Ruling on 'Allah' Use (by James Hookway and Celine Fernandez, Wall Street Journal)
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