I leave Malaysia, and crazy things happen. Almost every time! Well, this time churches in Malaysia are being vandalised and attacked. All of this, apparently, over a word.
For years now Malay-speaking Christians have been fighting for the right to use the word “Allah” in their churches. It all started when someone deemed that it was not right for the monthly publication, Catholic Herald, to use the word. So the issue has been ping ponging in Malaysian courts for some time now.
Yet, when the high court ruled that it was okay for the publication to finally use Allah, I wasn’t excited. Based on previous rulings that were unfavourable to the current administration, I knew that somehow, somewhere, some government pencil pusher would step in and try to stop the ruling. And that did happen, predictably. Tragically.
First, there was a rally by some Muslims (not many, thank goodness) that demanded the Christians not use the word Allah. The worst thing about all of this is that Najib, our wonderful prime minister who had come down so harshly on peaceful marches, allowed this rally to go on despite its spiteful nature.
And now these extremists are fire bombing churches. As a Christian, does it make upset? Oh yes. As a Malaysian, do I feel angry? That, and deep disappointment at how my country is just spiraling out of control. I’ve always been amazed at the amazing talent of our ruling elite of shooting their own feet, or rather, the country’s. Do you know how it’s like to see your country committing suicide in slow motion? Well, when you’re a Malaysian, you know that intimately.
This current religious fracas will have repercussions to the next, very pivotal election. There are many Christians in East Malaysia, and they’re not going to like what’s going on, especially since many of them Malay-speaking believers.
The government is taking steps to fix the situation, and Najib, of course, has to insert some gag-worthy 1Malaysia mention into the whole mess. (Hey, it’s branding, yeah?). Yo! When people fire bomb places of worship despite your 1 Malaysia clinics, cars, hospitals, dance parades, et al, something is not working here - or fire your publicist please.
