Thousands gather to oppose ‘conversion’ in Malaysia
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Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Nov 7, 2006 / 12:00 am (CNA).- More than 1,000 angry Muslim protesters gathered outside Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Silibin on Sunday after a rumor rapidly spread through cell phone text messages and e-mails that a group of Muslims had chosen to be baptized and convert to Christianity there.

Police also received the text message and had sent officers to the scene to prevent violence.

After four hours and repeated warnings by police the crowd eventually dispersed, having learned that it was actually 98 ethnic Indian children who were readying to receive First Communion, reported The Malaysia Star. The protesters included members of opposition parties and non-governmental organizations

Muslims are not legally permitted to convert to other faiths in Malaysia. According to a report by The Associated Press, those who have previously tried were sentenced to prison terms and religious rehabilitation programs. Proselytizing of Muslims is also illegal.

The country’s 26 million-member population is about 60 percent Muslim, 25 percent Chinese Buddhists and Christians, and 10 percent Indians, who are mainly Hindus and Christians.

The government has been largely successful in nurturing harmony since the deadly ethnic riots in 1969, and the country is often hailed as a model of coexistence for other multicultural nations.

State police said it would investigate how the text message began. Perak Religious Department also intends to investigate.

Fr. Fabian Dicom, spokesman for the Catholic Diocese of Penang, said the Church was extremely concerned that a group of people had been sowing ill-will through rumors. He said the incident had also infringed on the church members' right to worship.

“The Catholic Church has always believed that dialogue is the best platform to resolve issues and as such is extremely disappointed that there was no attempt whatsoever for dialogue,” he told The Malaysia Star.

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Subscriber comments:
Published by: John Roman Lowe
Riverside, California-U.S.A. 11/23/2006 11:51 PM EST
Although I am distressed at how Christrians are treated in Islamic countries, may truest angst is rooted in Western Society. For it is here that abortion, embrionic experimentation, and other abominations are not only tolerated, but defended. For these wrongs we cannot blame the Muslims. And they shall surely be the demise of the American people sooner or deeper than Al Qaeda could ever wish to be.
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Published by: Jessy Juny
East Malaysia 11/21/2006 02:24 AM EST
i live in east malaysia (sabah state) and i'm christian.we are minority here but i believe God walk with us.
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Published by: Tyler
Ohio, USA 11/14/2006 10:29 AM EST
HMacK you are not even close! Salvation is not assured according to your religion. We are judged according to our faith and works at the end of time. The Catholic Church is Christ's Church established to help leead people to Heaven!
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Published by: HMacK
brunei 11/07/2006 07:02 PM EST
Converting muslims to the post-conciliar church? Surely, this is against the "spirit" of the Vatican Councils! Muslims are already saved so there is no need to become christians! In fact, there is no need in being Catholic either as even animists are savred too these days.
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Published by: Tim White
Richmond, VA 11/07/2006 04:36 PM EST
The story should be that if a Muslim chose to convert to Christianity he and anyone who attempted to help him would be a criminal in Malaysia. It would interesting to know what would have happened if the text message was true what would have happened? Would the Police have allowed the Protesters to desecrate the church and possibly kill those who wanted to convert and others? Or would they have helped the protesters? Also this is what we call a "Moderate Muslim Country"? Where there is no true freedom of religion? This is only the beginning and it will get much worse before it gets better. The Pope needs to demand that all Muslim countries especially the Islamic Republics treat the Christians and other religions in their country with the same respect and give them the same rights that Muslims have in Western countries. If he does not some "Christian Rights" organization may rise up and start treating the Muslims in the West like the Christians in Islamic Republics are treated on their own thus taking it out of his hands. The Pope needs to intercede and first demand reciprocity of treatment of Christians. When that fails (which it in all likelihood would) he needs to start marshaling Christian forces as it is only a matter of time before the current war expands to become an all-out inter-Religious World War. The time for patience is slowly coming to pass. As unpopular as it may be the time for a new Crusade may be upon us.
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Published by: Allan Gibb
Toronto, Ontario 11/07/2006 02:03 PM EST
Malaysia is "hailed as a model of coexistence for other multicultural nations"?

How can anyone say this, especially the author of this article given that "Muslims are not legally permitted to convert to other faiths in Malaysia," and "Proselytizing of Muslims is also illegal," as the author tells us.

Sounds like a model Islamo-fascist state, where God-given freedoms are restricted for the "chosen few" or the "upper caste." We need to do away with all this Muslim tyranny. I pray for them, in the Muslim world, especially the hard hearted ones, that they may see God's plan for Peace is in Christ and His true and Holy Catholic Faith.
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