Malaysia: 9 Christian institutions attacked

January 11, 2010

A ninth Christian institution was attacked on January 11 as a four-day spree of firebombings of churches and other Christian institutions continued. “Christians,” said Archbishop Murphy Pakiam of Kuala Lumpur, “are praying and not responding to the provocations,” which he described as “isolated acts done by small groups, probably by individuals filled with 'fervor' from the Friday prayer of the Muslims.”

“These outrageous incidents are acts of extremism and designed to weaken our diverse communities’ shared commitment to strengthen racial unity,” said Malaysia’s Home Ministry Secretary General Mahmood Adam. “These were not just attacks on houses of worship, they were attacks on the values and freedoms all Malaysians share.”

The attacks followed a recent court decision that permitted a Catholic publication to use the word “Allah” to refer to God.

The nation of 27.7 million is 3% Catholic.

 

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Further information:

• 9 churches attacked in Malaysia in 'Allah' dispute (Chicago Tribune)
• “Christians are praying and not responding to the provocations,” Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur tells Fides, following attacks on churches (Fides)
• Malaysian Police Probe Eight Incidents as Church Attacks Mount (Bloomberg)
• 2 more churches in Malaysia firebombed in 'Allah' row (CNN)
• More Churches Attacked in Malaysia (Vatican Radio)
• 3 churches firebombed in Malaysia (CWN, 1/8)