PETALING JAYA (Jan 10, 2010): One hundred and twenty five civil society groups condemned the arson attack against three churches last Friday following the controversy over the use of the word Allah.

“Nothing warrants such deliberately provocative violent acts, amounting to terrorism, on places of worship,” said the groups in a joint statement.

The statement also said such violence must not be seen as a communal conflict of Muslims and Christians as it was disrespectful to Islam and to all religions as it is to the Christians.

The Metro Tabernacle Church at Desa Melawati, Church of the Assumption and Life Chapel, both in Petaling Jaya were attacked early Friday morning last week following a High Court ruling on Dec 31 that allowed the Catholic weekly Herald to use the word ‘Allah’ in its publication.

Among the groups who issued the joint statement was Aliran Kesedaran Rakyat (Aliran), All Women’s Action Society (Awam), Bar Council of Malaysia, Malaysian AIDS Council, Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf), Council of Churches of Malaysia, Middle Eastern Graduate Society, Muslim Professionals Forum (MPF), Persatuan Mahasiswa Islam Universiti Malaya (PMIUM), TENAGANITA, Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO), Youth for Change (Y4C) and Writer Alliance for Media Independence (WAMI) and the Malaysian Consultative Council for Buddhism Christianity Hinduism Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST).

It said the acts were a “blot on the image that we promote of ourselves as a harmonious multiracial and diverse society.

“It is also tantamount to an attack on the cardinal principle of the Rule of Law and the institution of the judiciary who must at all times be left to decide on a case without fear, favour or intimidation.”

The groups also condemned quarters who “shamelessly manipulated ethno-religious sentiments” for their political gains.

“This sad situation has escalated due in part to the irresponsible responses from the administration which appears to be practicing double standards.

“We further deeply regret that in postulating their grievances to advance their agenda, those quarters have sought to convolute the real issues touching on the constitutional right of expression and to practice one’s faith  and, with the aid of certain segments of the media, both mainstream and otherwise.”

The groups are also urging for parties to hold a dialogue session to reach consensus on the issue.
“No issue is too sensitive for rational debate in a democratic society. The treat of violence should not be used to kill democratic debate.”

Although the groups condemned the serial arson attacks, it firmly rejected the proposed use of the Internal Security Act (ISA) against anyone, adding the suspect must be charged and tried in open court to “delegitimize their barbaric act.”

The groups said it expects the police to pursue the culprits with the highest diligence and professionalism.