| Kuala Lumpur Churches Firebombed over Allah Issue |
Tag it:
| Written by Our Correspondent | |
| Friday, 08 January 2010 | |
 Would a god by any other name smell as sweet?
Youths on motorcycles firebombed an Assemblies of God church in Kuala Lumpur last night, gutting its administrative offices, and threw a Molotov cocktail at a Catholic church in the Petaling Jaya suburb as tensions continue to rise over a decision by a High Court justice that the Catholic Church could use the word "Allah" to represent the Christian god in the Malay version of its news publication, The Herald. Police later reported that two more churches were attacked as well although at one the Molotov cocktail failed to ignite. Police stationed police cars at churches throughout the city as demonstrations were scheduled at mosques across the country during the Friday Muslim prayer hours. Officials from the United Malays National Organization and Parti Islam se-Malasia, the two ethnic Malay political parties, condemned the attacks and called for calm. By Friday evening, at least 150,000 protesters have signed onto a Facebook protest, with the numbers continuing to grow. The ruling by Justice Lau Bee Lan was stayed on Jan 6. at the request of Abdlu Gani Patail, Malaysia's attorney general. Lau's decision has generated massive protest across Malaysia, much of it fomented by UMNO, according to critics. Catholic Church officials agreed to the stay out of national security concerns. There are increasing concerns that the matter could get out of hand. Musa Hassan, the inspector general of police, warned groups planning to stage rallies that they had better cancel or they could face action. Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak has also called for calm although he also said protesters have the right to rally within the confines of mosques. "We cannot stop them, as long as it is confined within the mosque area," he told a press conference. The Muslim youth movement Abim and the National Association of Muslim Students were expected to hold nationwide rallies today against Justice Lau's decision. Kuala Lumpur is also bracing for rising Malay protest in advance of the trial of 12 so-called "cow's head" protesters who are expected to go to court on April 12 for sedition for an incident that happened last August when they were arrested for carrying a cow's head to the Selangor state government headquarters in protest of a plan to relocate a 150-year-old Hindu temple in what was regarded as an ethnic Malay area. Cows are sacred to ethnic Hindus. The 12 have hardly backed away from their pugnacious stance. On Dec. 8, shouting "Jangan Memperbodohkan Orang Melayu (Do not hoodwink the Malays'), the 12, accompanied by about 20 more, marched down a busy street carrying a banner depicting leaders of the Democratic Action Party with cows bodies and horns. They threw the banner to the ground and started stepping on it. Between the two issues, and other accumulated strains in the society, Najib's "1Malaysia" campaign to try to ameliorate the racial tensions that have been rising since March 2008 elections that gave the opposition solid gains faces a rocky time. Najib has assiduously attempted to woo back disaffected minority Chinese and Indian voters who deserted the scandal-ridden Malaysian Chinese Association and Malaysian Indian Congress but has faced continued tension. Ethnic Malays charge that the minorities, who play a major role in the opposition led by Anwar Ibrahim, are demanding too much in a country where ketuanan Melayu, or Malay superiority, has been a fixture for three decades. The minorities believe that UMNO is behind the rising racial tension in an effort to solidify the Malay vote. Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, an elder UMNO statesman, told local media that the party was "bent on fanning communal sentiment and digging itself into an intolerant hardline position with no parallel in the Muslim world." "I think the danger level is going to rise," said a well-placed ethnic Malay source in Kuala Lumpur. "Many protests and demonstrations are in motion across the country. I think this whole saga plus the protests planned basically means that the Muslim Malay community is fighting back. It's not just Allah, but the culmination of lots of issues." The Herald, which is printed in four languages, was refused a printing permit two years ago for using the word "Allah" as a translation for "God" in its Malay-language section. It had previously done so in copies circulated in Sabah and Sarawak, which have many more Christian converts than does Peninsular Malaysia, which is predominantly Malay and Muslim. Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim condemned the stay and charged UMNO with "politicizing the issue and pandering to its conservative base...to deflect attention from its own political vulnerabilities." In a press release, the opposition coalition said it "has gained popularity by touting a vision of a secular country in which all religions have equal rights. Even the opposition's Islamic partner, the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party—which hasn't always supported liberal ideas—issued a statement Monday saying that the Herald's use of 'Allah' is its constitutional right. Former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad also joined the fray, writing a Malay-language statement in his blog "Chedet" saying that the issue over the use of the word Allah "cannot be referred to or resolved by the courts. Laws cannot take into account sensitivities and issues that could trigger tension and chaos amongst religious peoples and of different faiths. "I hope the government is very careful over this issue so that this multi faith country does not fall into disarray," he wrote. Comments
(23)
When Muslim elsewhere in the world say that it is not a problem to use the word "Allxh" in any language which has the term "Allxh" as found in the Malay and Sikh languages, the echo from Bolehland come back loudly: "Our landscape is different from other countries. Malays here are different from other countries" say much of the infantility and arrogance of the UMNOputras.
Votes: +0
What these UMNOputras (they always love drag the Malays into their stupidity) are telling the world is that they have a patent on Allxh. This is a fascist and arrogant stand. Now if they can become the master and manipulator of Allxh himself what other prohibitions would you think they can whimsically impose even on fellow Muslims who oppose their hegemony? This had already happened in the past. The Sunni Islam of the Shafi'i school of thought is the official, legal form in Malaysia and there are strict policies against other Islamic sects including Shia Islam. Some notable sects that have been outlawed are the Al-Arqam and the Teapot Sky kingdom movements, and just a few years back UMNO tried to petition to the Agong to ban PAS. In the case of Al-Arqam the movement was tolerated for many years because they have supported UMNO with their votes. In return they were allowed to run businesses that have been very successful in Malaysia, Thailand and other parts of Southeast Asia. But one fatal mistake: Ashaari Mohammad the leader was boasted as saying, "Who is Mahathir? I'm more popular than him" led to the banning of the movement on the grounds for being a threat to Islam. Similarly when UMNO was pushed to the ropes by PAS, they were declared to be a threat to Islam. Thus this current spate of banning of the word "Allxh" portends a much more dangerous agenda towards the path of fascism and tyranny of the godless UMNOputras and the priesthood of Islam Hadhari to strangle the dignity of Christians and Muslims alike. Even ethnic Malays who oppose UMNO were declared as traitors and not Malays anymore. Be forewarned of this danger from the UMNOputras and its priesthood that aspire to be the master of "Allxh". report abuse
vote down
vote up
 written by too lann , January 13, 2010
First they tried to dump shariah law on the non Muslims. Then they tried "ketuanan melayu/ketuanan islam". They got nowhere. So no choice - they have to use the "Allah" issue and try to riot over this. But don't forget the hypocrites in power still have the "ketuanan" issues in their hearts and minds. The fact that they have not mentioned it does not mean they have forgotten it. Now that many Malays are reluctant to take to the streets shows that Malays now realise they will lose what they have. Their houses will be set on fire, their Mercedes/BMWs will be set on fire, their currency will plummet to the ground and they will have nothing to show for it. UMNO is realising that the Malays have failed to govern Malaysia. Time to make way for others. Time for them to "lepak" and just take their 30% and leave the rest for the non Malays to govern. That way they will still enjoy the "perks" of being a Malay.
Votes: +0
report abuse
vote down
vote up
written by Thiru , January 13, 2010
I feel sorry for non-muslim/non-terrorist Malaysians. It’s like under the captivity of talibans and negotiating for their life. Hmm… You can’t reason with terrorist. It’s their way or high way. I wish allah is so powerful that he will wipe out all the muslim terrorists. Is that would be awesome. The world would be so safe. Well at least I can dream about it.
Votes: +1
report abuse
vote down
vote up
written by This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , January 12, 2010
The muslim in malaysia are brand washed by UMNO to be a Talibans , UMNO governm sow hatred between multi racial so that the muslim live separate from the others, in mosque through the country UMNO government employed imam that strictly follow UMNO style fanatic islamic teaching ,they called the non-malays as infidel and muslim must not follow their way of living, muslim must wear different clothes ,eat different food, muslim must not friend with non -muslim, this has caused hatred among muslim on non-muslim, so the Malay UMNO government take care of the Malays Muslim , from indepenadant they implemeted a NEP racist policy where all development plan by government only for Malay race, in 50 years that created a underclass poor Indian ,the weak and downtroden Indian deliberately created by the system.This indian living condition are like those african living in somalia, when this people raised and demonstarted in 2007 , the government jail leaders without trial for 2 years.This malaysia we have 100 of university can UITM exclusively for Malays ,100 GLC companies only employed the malay muslim,you can't see them in any country around the globe.The non-malays many migrated to elsewhere , and the poor non-malays are suffering with the government atrocities.
Votes: +1
report abuse
vote down
vote up
written by Malaysian Patriot , January 11, 2010
that Malaysia is going to the dogs.
Votes: +1
The Agung needs to speak up for all Malaysians NOW. Where is he? Najib needs to bring the bombers to justice or go at the next elections. Hussein needs to crack down on further vandalism or step down with immediate effect. STOP this "rape" upon the image of our beloved country. report abuse
vote down
vote up
written by flying eagle , January 11, 2010
The sultans are very quiet. As head of religion in the state, he has overall control of Islam in his state. Has any sultan issued any comment on this common sense issue? This is very much like a typical Malaysian school classroom. Commit everything to memory what is told to you. Don't question anything. Unfortunately many people in the country can still think, including many Malays. Now the government is in a quandry. If the appeal is in UMNO's favour, everyone will think that the judges have buckled under Malay pressure. If the appeal is in the Herald's favour, then the Malays have no choice but to accept it. The time has gone where the Malays can riot at will. If they start one, not only will the country suffer, the Malays will lose whatever they have gained. Why? See how many Malays drive fancy cars, stay in fancy houses, own large numbers of shares, hoard large amounts of money in their houses, and walk around with strings of bling bling on them? They will lose all these when money flies out of the country, the ringgit devalues and investment packs up and leave.As usual the poor will suffer. The well -of Malays invest in Goldman Sachs(a jewish company). They are such hypocrites when it comes to money, they forget all their political principles.
Votes: +1
report abuse
vote down
vote up
written by Mamakthir , January 11, 2010
Malaysian Madrassahes are producing Jihadists for Jemaat Islamiah in SEA eg. Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia. So far, the Jihadists in Thailand and Philippines have applied their trademark beheadings and Indonesia Jihadists are well known for their hotel and nightclub suicide bombings.
Votes: +0
report abuse
vote down
vote up
written by Mamakthir , January 11, 2010
The Ahnehs in Malaysian Catholic Churches may be stirring up racial problems by insisting that the Talibans in UMNO accept their to use Allah. Why not just stick to God instead?
Votes: +0
report abuse
vote down
vote up
written by passerby , January 10, 2010
Why firebomb the churches in the dark, you coward terrorists. Why not do a suicide bombing to claim your 72 virgins?
Votes: +0
report abuse
vote down
vote up
Najib is adamant that "1Malaysia" is still intact. Everybody knows, unless he is a buffoon, that "1Malaysia" is about multibillion advertising contracts. Najis is indirectly correct, the gravy train will still go on. And to who did he boast this fairy tale to? – to some 7,000 Umno supporters in Hulu Selangor.
Votes: +2
But for the others: what the heck, if there is really a "1Malaysia", why were 3 churches being torched over a non-issue? report abuse
vote down
vote up
Churches, which are Groups of Christians to be named after the Area's there in, Number 1
Votes: +1
Colossians 3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. report abuse
vote down
vote up
written by Asiabagus , January 09, 2010
In an effort to deflect the Malay population from the multitude of allegations regarding corruption, the government by ommission to arrest the Malaysian Muslim terrorists who bombed the churches only goes to show that they want to deflect the issues.PAS spiritual leader has already said that there was nothing wrong in using the National Language-Allah means God-so Mulsims dont have a monopoly on the word.
Votes: +2
But what is shocking is that the Government seems to be supporting Muslims RADICALS who are on the verge of attacking Christians-We have seen their primitive bahaviour with regards to teh Cow's head in complete disrespect to the Hindu Community! I hope that all religions including the Muslims demand that these terrorist be brought to justice immediately.If this is not stopped it will continue and many will die from such bombings! Malaysian police have no credibility-bring in the foreign experts-anti-terrorist teams from the USA or EU! report abuse
vote down
vote up
The US President Obama recently commented about the security breach when his men foiled a bombing attempt on a civilian aircraft - he spoke about security responsibilities: "The buck stop with me."
Votes: +4
Hello, PM, you boleh kah? (How about you?) Oh, forget it. Never mind I ever ask. report abuse
vote down
vote up
Monty Python Life of Brian's Malaysian cousins, Lowly rated comment [Show]
written by frank reid , January 08, 2010
I've been laughing at this comedy from 10k miles away!
Votes: +1
report abuse
vote down
vote up
written by CommonSense02 , January 08, 2010
Ever notice how every nation that becomes more and more Islamic also becomes more and more of a dysfunctional pesthole of violence? Why do you suppose that is?
Votes: +5
report abuse
vote down
vote up
written by Eric Mudasi , January 08, 2010
Why do they always invoke 'Royalty', as defenders of the Islamic faith. considering the royals themselves suffer a 'gulf in credibility'
Votes: +5
Malay Mail first highlighted the incident in late October last year, in which we reported an assault in a five-star hotel's lobby lift in Kuala Lumpur involving Tunku Ismail and Tunku Nadzimuddin, several bodyguards and a group of clubbing buddies. http://www.mmail.com.my/content/13725-battle-royals-no-way-says-johor-royalty report abuse
vote down
vote up
written by Fair , January 08, 2010
Simple to understand. Which religion came first? Who has the right to call
Votes: +9
GOD what ever names that glorifying HIM? Every human being , the creation of GOD has the right to praise and call all the names that personifies the ALMIGHTY! SIMPLE report abuse
vote down
vote up
written by Osaba , January 08, 2010
From firebombs to suicide bombers is but a small step.
Votes: +11
Is Islam becoming more radical in Malaysia? report abuse
vote down
vote up
written by max teh , January 08, 2010
The churches have been using Allah since the 70s and there was no problem before. Many Christians however have no idea why the church is fighting to use this despite rising tensions. The reason is simple. Religious freedom will continue to be hampered if rules keep getting changed so although this "Allah" issue doesn't appear to be a big deal and that some Christians might ask for the church to just STOP using it, this will ultimately lead to less religous freedom in the future.
Votes: +22
Many Christian schools have already been converted into non-religious schools. This will keep on going if other religions don't demand for their rights. If the church STOPS using "Allah", this will set a precedent for more problems in the future. report abuse
vote down
vote up
|
Subscribe to this comment's feed
Show/Hide comments
Show/Hide comment form
India's Thirst for EnergySiddharth Srivastava Coal surge is unabated, raising environmental concerns
Full Story |
| Other Articles |
Malaysia's Uneasy Dance with the Web Are authorities about to start to filter Internet journalism?
Full Story |
| most read... |
Alice Poon
| Anti-Anti-Speculation ActionTuesday, 24 August 2010 | Alice Poon (潘慧嫻)
It seems that the SAR government finally decided to choose
the lesser of two evils: taking decisive, albeit belated, anti-speculation
measures in the hope of stabilizing prices, rather than... Full Story |
| Previous posts: |
John Elliott: Riding the Elephant
| From vultures in Delhi, to coups in Pakistan, a journalist's un-edited take on current events |
|
Donate to Asia Sentinel
PAS muslim/malays have no problem with the sharing of the word 'Allah'
only umno malays/mamaks claimed that the word is only for mamak/malay muslim.
wonder why those churches in sabah have not been attacked?