CNI condemns attack on churches in Malaysia

The incidents of arson and vandalism against churches in Malaysia were Monday condemned by the Church of North India (CNI).

The Rev. Dr. Enos Das Pradhan, General Secretary of the Church of North India, reproved the wave of attacks on the country's Christian minority after a Malaysian Court ruled that churches can use the word "Allah" to address God.

The perpetrators, looting and vandalizing Protestant and Catholic churches, Rev. Pradhan said was 'inhumane' and 'barbaric'.

"The attacks on Christian churches in Malaysia is not just attacks on houses of worship, they are attacks on the values and freedoms of all Malaysian citizens. We at the Church of North India join millions of Christians and all the people from different faiths including the Muslims of the world condemn the recent attacks on Christian Churches," he said in a statement on Monday.

"These unprecedented attacks have strained the relationship of minority Christian and Malay Muslims and dented the image of peaceful Malaysia, raising questions on the political stability of the country," he added.

There have been about 14 attempted attacks on religious institutions in this mainly Muslim country after Malaysia's High Court ruled that a Roman Catholic newspaper, the Herald, was permitted to use the word Allah to describe God in its Malay language editions.

Says Rev. Pradhan, "Churches in Asian countries have always been in the forefront for promoting peace and universal brotherhood of all faiths and communities. Incidents of this kind only create a climate of fear and a perceived threat to national security."

He appealed to the people of Malaysia to maintain peace and also demanded Malaysian Government to ensure safety and security of its citizens irrespective of ethnicity and religion.

Through a letter to the Malaysian High Commissioner in New Delhi, he urged the Malaysian Government to take immediate action to protect the sanctity of Religious Places and to take action against culprits who are trying to tarnish the image of Malaysia.

He also assured of continuous prayer support and solidarity to all Christians in Malaysia, in particular the sister church Gereja Presbyterian Church.

The attacks and the reaction by the majority Muslim Malay population have intensified concerns that Malaysia, traditionally a moderate Muslim country, is becoming more radical.

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak condemned the attacks and gave assurances that the government would "take whatever steps it can to prevent such acts".