Malaysian bishops: ‘We need leaders who truly care for the people’

Malaysian bishops: ‘We need leaders who truly care for the people’
For the first time in six decades, several high-profile Malaysian church leaders have publicly called for a change of government. On 24 April the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Malaysia issued a pastoral letter, saying: “We need to choose leaders who truly care for the rakyat [people], promote justice and equality, stand . . . Read More

Malaysia’s reputation as moderate Muslim nation hangs by a thread

Mosque in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Malaysia is seen by most Western countries as one of the moderate Muslim nations, an ally to be cultivated and befriended in the battle against militant Islam. The country’s Prime Minister, Najib Razak, was among one of the leaders to visit US President Donald Trump in his first year of . . . Read More

Malaysia: Muslim-only laundrette and uproar over Christian book show ‘growing bias’ against minorities

Malaysia: Muslim-only laundrette and uproar over Christian book show ‘growing bias’ against minorities
With less than a year to go until Malaysia’s next general election, inter-religious tensions have resurfaced over a “Muslim-only” laundrette and a book written by a Christian parliamentarian. Fifteen Muslim non-governmental organisations (NGOs) filed a complaint with the police on 24 September against Selangor State Assembly speaker Hannah Yeoh for . . . Read More

Malaysian bill amendment to tighten Sharia punishments alarms non-Muslims

Malaysian bill amendment to tighten Sharia punishments alarms non-Muslims
On the last day of Malaysia’s latest session of Parliament, a member of the ruling coalition, UMNO (United Malays National Organisation), had a bill amendment approved which has provoked an outcry in the country. That’s because it aims to tighten the implementation of Sharia; and critics claim it intends to . . . Read More

Malaysian court upholds right to convert from Islam

Malaysian court upholds right to convert from Islam
In a landmark ruling last week a Malaysian court upheld the rights of a Christian to convert from Islam. The judgment establishes a precedent in a country where religious conversions, particularly from Islam to Christianity, have been steeped in controversy. The verdict reaffirms the supremacy of the Federal Constitution, which . . . Read More

In Malaysia, Christmas decried as ‘ploy’ to lead Muslims astray

In Malaysia, Christmas decried as ‘ploy’ to lead Muslims astray
A billboard in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, appeals to national unity in a February 2014 photo. Rising fundamentalist Islam put increased pressure on minorities in the country’s famously multicultural society during the year.Courtesy Open Doors International   For Malaysian Christians, 2014 has been a year when they had to dig deep . . . Read More

Malaysia refuses Church right to appeal ban on use of ‘Allah’

Malaysia refuses Church right to appeal ban on use of ‘Allah’
Almost eight years after the Malaysian Catholic newspaper the Herald first sought to overthrow a government ban on it using the word ‘Allah’ for ‘God’ in its publication the judicial appeal process appears to have ended in failure. A federal court in Kuala Lumpur ruled on June 23 that it . . . Read More

Use of ‘Allah’ still unresolved for Malaysia’s Christians

Use of ‘Allah’ still unresolved for Malaysia’s Christians
Malaysian Christians this week have been anxious about their right to practise their faith without state interference or provocation from militant Islam, as three cases concerning religious freedom have come to court. Much is riding on the legal system to affirm Malaysia’s constitutional guarantee of religious freedom. Christians in Malaysia . . . Read More

Malaysia’s ‘Allah’ impasse

Malaysia’s ‘Allah’ impasse
Should Malaysia’s Muslims alone be afforded the right to use the word ‘Allah’?Abu Emran / Flickr / Creative Commons   “God, what is your religion?” This cryptic question, spotted on a T-shirt at a packed public meeting on religious freedom in the Malaysian city of Petaling Jaya last week, sums . . . Read More

Malaysia’s ‘Allah’ ruling widely criticised

Malaysia’s ‘Allah’ ruling widely criticised
Christians in Sarawak attend Mass at St. Joseph’s Cathedral in Kuching. The service is held in the Malay language, which uses the word ‘Allah’ for God.The Malaysian Insider   Malaysia’s escalating dispute over who has the right to use the word ‘Allah’ to describe God continues unabated. The country’s Court . . . Read More