Christians in Malaysia are stunned after a spate of unprecedented attacks on churches which followed a court ruling that a Christian newspaper could use the word 'Allah'.Suspected Islamists attacked eight churches between January 8 and 11, in Kuala Lumpur, Petaling Jaya, Taiping, Melaka, Miri and Seremban. In four cases, firebombs were thrown. Although there were no reported injuries and most churches attacked suffered only minor damage, one floor of the Metro Tabernacle in Kuala Lumpur was completely gutted by fire.
The attacks have shocked Christians in a country where acts of violence on places of worship have no precedent. The raids attracted widespread condemnation, from church leaders, some moderate Muslims and leaders on both sides of the political divide.
Release International.
