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

Islamic State in Asia: what you need to know

Islamic State in Asia: what you need to know
When Islamic State (IS) launched its so-called caliphate in 2014 it had seized territory in Iraq and Syria. However over the last 18 months, militants claiming allegiance to the group have carried out attacks in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines, while the group also has sympathisers in India . . . Read More

UPDATE: Son of abducted Malaysian pastor suspects he may have been murdered

UPDATE: Son of abducted Malaysian pastor suspects he may have been murdered
Pastor Koh, still missing after being abducted on 13 February, is now feared dead.Change.org   More than two weeks since the abduction of Malaysian Christian pastor, Raymond Koh, his son has filed a second police report on suspicion that his father has been murdered, reports Free Malaysia Today. Jonathan Koh . . . 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

Islamic authorities’ raid on Malaysian Bible Society questioned by state government

Islamic authorities’ raid on Malaysian Bible Society questioned by state government
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   The ruling that the use of the word ‘Allah’ for God is banned for non-Muslims in Malaysia hit global headlines in . . . Read More