Priest calls seizing of Bible in Malaysia unlawful, unconstitutional
January 06, 2014 - A Malaysian Catholic priest has condemned as unlawful and unconstitutional
last week’s raid and seizure of some 300 Bibles from a Christian centre, over controversy
over the use of the word ‘Allah’. Islamic authorities in the State of Selangor raided
a centre of the Bible Society of Malaysia centre on Thursday, seizing 321 Bibles and
arresting two Christian leaders who were later released on bail. Local government
officials "have no authority to enter a Christian centre" and carry out acts that
are visibly contrary to the constitution of Malaysia, Fr Lawrence Andrew, editor of
the Catholic weekly Herald told AsiaNews. He was reacting to further abuses against
the religious minority, already struggling in a controversial court case involving
the use of the word "Allah" in reference to the Christian God. The Catholic priest
noted the constitution says that every religious group is "free to practice its religion
and manage its own affairs" without outside "interference", as was Thursday’s case.
Indeed, the controversy over 'Allah' is a source of problems for the nation. The
raid came after a Malaysian court in October ruled that the Arabic word ‘Allah’ was
exclusive to Muslims, most of whom are ethnic Malays, the largest ethnic group in
the country alongside sizeable Christian, Hindu and Buddhist minorities. (Source:
AsiaNews)