Religion of peace' angered by Christians plan to introduce another official religion in Malaysia

From Will at The Other News:

(Al-Arabia).Malaysia’s government was seeking ways on Monday to defuse religious tensions following reports that church leaders were working toward making Christianity an official religion, reports The Associated Press. Muslim activists have filed police complaints demanding an investigation into what they believe is a threat to Islam in this Muslim-majority country.

Christian leaders deny the allegations saying these accusations are intended to create suspicions and divisions between Malay Muslims and religious monitories.

The allegation surfaced on the Internet in a post by two anonymous political bloggers and went largely unnoticed until on Saturday, when the Utusan Malaysia newspaper reported it on its front page under the headline “Malaysia a Christian nation?” 

The story said that at a recent meeting dozens of pastors reportedly pledged to make Christianity an official religion and ensure that the prime minister is Christian. Christians comprise 10 percent of Malaysia’s 28 million population.Opposition politician Lim Guan Eng said on Monday, “The government would have to bear full responsibility for any undesirable consequences on the Christian community in Malaysia because of Utusan’s report,” reported AP.

Malaysia prides itself on its multiethnic peace between majority Malays, and minority Christians and Tamils. Nevertheless, there have been occasional communal disputes. Malys feel that the Chiense dominate the economy, and Chinese and Tamils both feel that the government’s affirmative action program favors unqualified Malays. 

Last January, 11 churches were attacked and vandalized after a court verdict that allowed minorities to use the word “Allah” as a translation for God. Nevertheless, observers said that it seemed unlikely that Malaysia, officially an Islamic state, would want to permit another official religion, even though the country is widely considered tolerant of all faith. 

Total explosion of violence in 3...2....1?

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