Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Jan 12, 2010 / 04:37 am
Attacks on Christian churches and institutions continue in Malaysia after a court ruling allowing non-Muslims to use the word “Allah” for God sparked protests and increased religious tensions. A government leader said the situation has stabilized and suspects are being pursued.
Four churches near the capital of Kuala Lumpur were attacked with firebombs in the initial incidents.
Since then, petrol bombs were thrown at a church and a convent school in the state of Perak and at a church in Sarawak on the island of Borneo, while another church was daubed with black paint, the BBC reports. Gasoline was also poured onto the front door of a church and set alight, resulting only in damage to the door.
On Monday Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said that there had been no serious incidents since Sunday night, the Malaysian Insider reports. He added that he was thankful that Sunday services “proceeded smoothly without any untoward incidents.”