Molotov cocktails thrown at Penang church

The Church of the Assumption in Lebuh Farquhar has been attacked in the early morning after a controversial banner with the word "Allah" found outside the church on Sunday, police said today.

Penang police chief SDCP Datuk Abdul Rahim said two Molotov cocktails were thrown into the church compound about 1.30am early today.

"However only one exploded as the other one fell on the grass.

"Initial investigations showed that two men on a motorcycle committed the crime," he was quoted as saying by The Star.

Representatives from the church, and a few other churches in the area have lodged police reports over controversial banners that were put up at the their entrances.

In 2010, several churches nationwide and a Catholic school were attacked at the height of the Allah controversy, following the High Court's ruling disputing the Home Ministry's ban on the use of the word "Allah" by Catholic weekly Herald.

The Metro Tabernacle church in Kuala Lumpur suffered the worst attack after arsonists burned down their premises in Desa Melawati, leaving their ground floor damaged. The church has since moved to a new building in Batu Caves.

In August 2010, the Sessions Court found siblings Raja Muhammad Faizal Raja Ibrahim and Raja Muhammad Idzham Raja Ibrahim guilty of the attack. - January 27, 2014.

NGO Sarawak lapor polis kenyataan ‘bughah’ Harussani

KUCHING 7 JAN: Dua NGO Sarawak hari ini membuat laporan polis menggesa mufti Perak Tan Seri Harussani Zakaria disiasat berhubung kenyataannya yang ‘menghalalkan darah’ peserta himpunan membantah kenaikan harga barang pada 31 Disember lalu

Jingga 13 Sarawak bersama Persatuan Anak Muda Sarawak membuat mendesak ‘fatwa songsang’ Harussanu disiasat kerana menghasut rakyat untuk melakukan kecederaan dan membunuh.

Laporan dibuat di Balai Polis Sentral Kuching pagi ini oleh setiausaha Jingga 13 Sarawak, Ramli Mahtar.

“Kenyataan ini merupakan satu hastan dan dorongan untuk melakukan keganasan, kecederaan termasuk untuk melakukan pembunuhan terutamanya terhadap mereka yang hadir di himpunan aman pada 31 Disember 2013 di Dataran Merdeka,” laporan dipetik.

Berita Harian 2 Januari lalu melaporkan Harussani sebagai berkata, semua peserta perhimpunan pada 31 Disember lalu sepatutnya ditangkap kerana menderhaka kepada kerajaan dan ‘dihalalkan darah golongan bughah (pemberontak)’.

Kenyataan mufti Perak itu mendapat kritikan hebat masyarakat, pertubuhan mahasiswa, parti politik, NGO dan ahli akademik kerana tidak peduli kepada rakyat yang terkesan akibat kenaikan harga barang dan perkhidmatan.

Harussani juga dilaporkan tidak berganjak dan tidak mahu meminta maaf atas kenyataan dangkalnya itu.

Short URL: http://www.keadilandaily.com/?p=58092

Appellate court nullifies 2012 Bersih rally ban

KUALA LUMPUR: The Court of Appeal today cancelled the 2012 magistrate court’s order barring participants of the Bersih rally then from entering Dataran Merdeka here, after deciding that the directive issued was faulty.

Justice Linton Albert, Zakaria Sam and Wong Dak Wah unanimously decided that the order made under Section 98 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC) was defective, according to news portal Malaysiakini today.

They were hearing the appeal of PKR deputy president Azmin Ali and Rembau division chief Badrul Hisham Shaharin, better known as Chegubard, challenging the validity of the order.

The two previously applied to dismiss the charges filed against them under the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 after contending that the order prohibiting entry to Dataran Merdeka, issued under the same law, was beyond what Kuala Lumpur Magistrate Zaki Asyraf was authorised to issue.
Zaki had made the order ahead of the Bersih rally in April 2012, pursuant to an application by the Dang Wangi district police station.

Today’s appeal was over the PKR duo’s earlier bid to have the charges against them dropped, which had been dismissed by the Kuala Lumpur High Court.

Azmin and Badrul Hisham was initially charged along with Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, but PKR de facto leader later filed an individual application to strike out his charge, which was also unsuccessful.

Despite today’s ruling, the prosecution may still appeal the decision to the Federal Court.

Should the prosecution forego its appeal, the duo may then apply anew to have the charges struck out by the Sessions Court.

Lawyer Sankara Nair, who represented Badrul Hisham, said they make a submission to the Attorney-General’s Chambers to discontinue its prosecution.

Anwar, Azmin and Badrul were the first people to be charged under the new assembly law that came into effect just months ahead of the Bersih rally in 2012.--The Malay Mail Online

Umno veterans to Herald editor: Embrace Islam to use ‘Allah’ -

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 2 — Umno veterans have asked a senior Christian priest to convert to Islam if he insists on using “Allah”, saying this would allow him to comply with a Selangor ban on the non-Muslim use of the Arabic word.

Datuk Mustapha Yaakub, the secretary of Umno Veterans Club, also expressed the group’s readiness to hold the ceremony of religious conversion for Father Lawrence Andrew, who is the editor of the Catholic Church’s newspaper the Herald.

“Umno veterans are ready to arrange a ceremony of his conversion to Islam anytime after the priest receives hidayah (guidance) from Allah.

“We will also ensure he becomes an imam (Muslim leader) and pendakwah (preacher) that is successful and respected,” Mustapha was quoted saying in a statement yesterday by Utusan Malaysia.

Mustapha further said that the Catholic priest’s conversion to Islam would be the best way to avoid angering the Muslim community, while also ensuring that the Selangor Sultan’s decree is respected.

Andrew has come under fire from Muslim groups since criticising a Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais) plan to compel churches in the state to stop using the Arabic word for God, saying the Catholic Church would not abide by such a directive.

Last week, Jais said it would soon issue letters to all the churches in Selangor to remind them to obey a 1988 state law banning non-Muslims from using the word “Allah”.

The Selangor Non-Islamic Religions (Control of Propagation Among Muslims) Enactment 1988, passed by the then Barisan Nasional state government, prohibits non-Muslims in Selangor from using 35 Arabic words and phrases in their faith, including “Allah”, “Nabi” (prophet), “Injil” (gospel) and “Insya’Allah” (God willing).

Last November, the Sultan of Selangor renewed his decree that non-Muslims in the country’s most developed state should be barred from using the word “Allah”.

The November 14 decree by the Sultan, who is the head of Islam in the state, came after a discussion with the Selangor Royal Council, where it was decided that Selangor citizens should abide by the 1988 enactment, which is enforceable regardless of one’s religion.

But several lawyers later argued that the Sultan’s decree was not legally binding on Selangor residents as the ruler’s powers in Islamic matters were ceremonial.

Lawyers have questioned whether Jais’s actions could test the guarantee of religious freedom in Article 11 of the Federal Constitution, which also provides for the right of all religions to practice and regulate their faith.

Temperatures have risen of late over the so-called “Allah” row that remains unresolved four years after it shocked the nation and led to the worst religious strife in the country’s history.

The ongoing legal dispute between the government and the Catholic Church over its right to print the word “Allah” in the Herald’s Bahasa Malaysia section is still pending before the Federal Court, which is set to hear arguments from both sides on February 24 before deciding on whether it will hear an appeal by the Catholic Church.

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The Malaysian Crusade: UMNO against Christians in Malaysia?

Despite having Christian members inside of one of the most powerful political parties in Malaysia, UMNO's recent foray attacking Christians in Malaysia is just to much to be tolerated.

We at the CU4M condemns any action, that will destroy the sanctity of Article 11 of the Federal Constitution in Malaysia. UMNO leaders should understand, as the "big brother" in Barisan Nasional they need to be more sensitive about making statements.

UMNO Delegates making Police report on the usage of the word "Allah"

What if we the Christian of Malaysia would deprive our Muslims brothers and sisters their rights to pray in our shopping Mall and many Christian or non muslim owned establishment? Will they be angry? The same goes to us. Just let us be. We are not bothering anyone at all. Stop attacking the Christians.

However, if they tried to test us again all of these UMNO freaks of nature will fail! They are an abomination, and it is God's will that we the Christian of Malaysia will do what we can to preserve our faith.

Justice Through Unity! Unity Through Faith!

Lawan Tetap Lawan!

The Malaysian Crusade: An open letter to Helen Ang.

DIA telah mati dan hidup semula untuk menyucikan dosa-dosa kita. Apakah kita tidak segan untuk membelakanginya. Demi Allah, Yesus dan Ruh Kudus. Terimalah Allah dan Yesus di dalam hatimu wahai Saudari Helen Ang.

*** Post kali ini ditulis dalam Bahasa Melayu agar dapat difahami oleh para peminat Helen Ang dan bagi yang merasakan beliau bercakap benar!

Apa khabar saudari Helen Ang, kami di Christian United For Malaysia berharap agar saudari Helen Ang dan keluarga sentiasa berada dalam keadaan aman dan sejahtera. Mungkin Saudari Helen Ang tidak mengenali kami di Christian United For Malaysia, namun, kami amat mengenali saudari dan benar-benar teruja dengan setiap "pendedahan" yang dikeluarkan oleh saudari di dalam blog saudari.

Saudari Helen,

Kami berandaian Saudari Helen adalah seorang yang beragama Kristian kerana di depan nama keluarga saudari, saudari menggunakan nama Eropah yang sinonim dengan agama Kristian. Adakah benar saudari seorang Kristian atau tidak kami tidak tahu. Namun sekiranya saudari adalah seorang Kristian, saudari telah mengkhianati agama ini yang seharusnya saudari bela. Sekiranya saudari bukan seorang Kristian, maka saudari telah melanggar hak asasi orang Kristian di Malaysia dan seharusnya menginsafi perbuatan saudari ini.

Apakah dengan menghina para pemimpin pembangkang yang beragama Kristian saudari puas hati? Apakah dengan menghina Hannah Yeoh, saudari mendapat kenikmatan sebagai seorang manusia? Apa salahnya YB Hannah berkhidmat untuk agamanya dan negaranya? Bukankah itu yang diminta oleh semua patriot negara ini? Pada kami yang sebenar-benar patriot di dalam dunia politik Malaysia pada masa kini adalah orang sepetri YB Hannah Yeoh yang bertungkus lumus memastikan nasib rakyat terus dibela.

Bertaubatlah Saudari Helen,

Kami percaya masih ada lagi sekelumit perasaan belas kasihan saudari Helen kepada manusia. Kami juga rasa bahawa saudari adalah seorang manusia yang baik, tetapi telah terpesong kerana godaan Syaitan yang menjadi musuh kepada kita semua tidak kira agama. Maka bertaubatlah saudari Helen, sebelum tiba masanya saudari berdepan dengan Tuhan dan diadili.

Semoga Saudari Helen dirahmati Allah,

Yesus itu adalah sumber keadilan, Allah sentiasa akan memaafkan makhluk ciptaanNya tanpa apa-apa syarat. Yang utama adalah taubat dan penyerahan secara total kepadaNya. Terima lah DIA di hati saudari, nescaya dia akan merahmati saudari dan menyelamatkan saudari dari kutukan dan penghinaan di dunia dan di alam barzakh nanti.

Perang Salib Untuk Malaysia,

Apa yang kami mahu sekiranya saudari setuju, bukanlah untuk berperang dari erti kata membunuh dan menyerang orang bukan Kristian di Malaysia. Peperangan yang kami maksudkan adalah peperangan terhadap kejahilan, kebatilan dan kemusnahan yang telah merosakkan negara ini selama pemerintahan para pemimpin yang ada sekarang.

Perang ini adalah untuk membasmi kebodohan dan keburukkan. Kami tidak berperang seperti mana yang terpahat di dalam kepala para penyokong kerajaan. Peperangan kami adalah dengan korupsi, nepotisme dan ideolisma jahat yang telah terbenam di dalam sanubari rakyat Malaysia.

Yesus adalah penyelamat!

YA! Yesus adalah penyelamat! Yesus adalah cahaya! Yesus akan menyelamatkan rakyat Malaysia dari kerosakkan. Inilah peperangan yang kita semua terpaksa hadapi setiap hari. Maka peperangan ini akan menjadi jalan kepada keselamatan rakyat negara ini.

Sertailah kami untuk Malaysia yang lebih baik!

Sertai lah kami Saudari Helen, hanya dengan cahaya Yesus Malaysia akan terselamt dari pelbagai bencana.
Hentikanlah serangan terhadap YB Hannah, kerana beliau adalah seorang yang berhati suci dan tidak pernah menganggu sesiapa pun. Sekiranya orang Islam ada hak untuk menyebarkan agama mereka, kenapa kami tidak?

Hentikanlah dari berbohong!

Saudari Helen, hentikanlah pembohongan dan mesej jahat saudari. Percayalah kata-kata kami, sekiranya saudari tersepit sekalipun, para pemimpin yang saudari bela tidak akan membantu saudari. Terimalah cahaya Yesus. Terimalah penyelamat agung ini. Nescaya kami akan sentiasa berada di belakang saudari dan selama-lamanya menjaga kebajikan saudari dan mempertahankan hak saudari.


Hallelujah


Salam Sayang dari

Admin dan Pengurusan Blog Christian United 4 Malaysia
In Allah We Trust
Kepada Allah Kami Berserah

30 Disember 2013

The Brits have it right: forget Happy Holidays, just wish people Merry Christmas I'd rather be able to wish people in the US a Merry Christmas this week without having to worry if they'll be offended

A colleague made a curious statement when she returned to New Yorkrecently from London, "Everything was so Christmas-y there."

At first glance, it's a bizarre statement. New York and London (among other cities in both countries) are decked out for the holidays. Who hasn't heard of the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree or London'sOxford Street lights and mince pies? And that's to say nothing of the famous storefront windows all aglow.

But look beyond the seasonal window treatments at Macy's and you'll quickly find a different story. In corporate America, everything is "happy holidays". Ads refer to "holiday shopping", end-of-year office soirees are "holiday parties" and kids' school concerts this time of year are "holiday concerts". You get the idea.

Even at the Guardian, when we put up our Christmas tree in the New York office, the first thing one of our interns said was, "Where's the menorah?"

It's the "politically correct" question. Evergreens and menorahs go hand in hand in most public places in the US. Some offices have gone a step further on the PC scale and simply done "winter wonderland" themed decorations. They have silver, gold and white lights aplenty, but no red and green anything. In short, snow globes are fine, Santa is not.

An annual survey that came out last week revealed just how conflicted Americans are on whether it's better to say "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Holidays" this time of year. Half of America prefers one term and half the other. However, in a business or public setting, nearly two-thirds of those under 30 feel it's better to wish someone the more generic Happy Holidays. It's about trying to be polite in an increasingly diverse society.

I see the trend just by looking at the greeting cards I've received this year in the mail and how people are signing off their emails. The majority wish me something along the lines of: happy holidays, peace, warm wishes for the New Year, and my least favorite, "seasons greetings". The cards have nice images of mittens, ice skates and snow covered landscapes (not to mention photos of cute kids), but not much overtly Christmas-y. They offer me everything jolly and merry this time of year, except a Merry Christmas.

I'm not to saying that Christmas isn't prominently visible in the states. There are still plenty of Santas and pine trees for sale here, and a drive around the neighborhood, especially in parts of America outside of the major cities, and you'll see people go all out with the Christmas lights and decorations outside their homes (there's even a TV show about it). But even people who are clearly celebrating Christmas in their homes tend to be conflicted about what to say in the workplace or at school. No one wants to offend anyone or make assumptions about people's religious beliefs, especially at work.

In America, the term "Christmas" still has a strongly religious connotation to it (despite what years of Santa and the "buy buy buy" mentality have done to the spirit of holiday). That's only further reinforced by claims on Fox News and other conservative outlets that there is a "war on Christmas" and, by extension, a war on the Christian faith. Now wishing people a "Merry Christmas" almost has a political tone to it.

What's striking to anyone who has spent time in the UK is that everyone says Merry (or Happy) Christmas. I've even had Muslim friends in the UK send me cards and write Merry Christmas on my Facebook wall. The saying in Britain seems to have lost its religious meaning. People say it regardless of whether or not they celebrate Christmas, and businesses feel no remorse whatsoever at openly calling things "Christmas sales" or "Christmas parties".

Of course, I am making broad generalizations. As a British friend reminded me, the UK has been celebrating Saturnalia long before Christmas, and plenty of places such as Birmingham have generic Winterval celebrations. Christmas isn't ubiquitous.

But by and large, in two diverse societies with similar roots, Americans have opted to try to find neutral sounding holiday greetings, while Brits have chosen to make Christmas as open to everyone as possible.

Personally, I think the Brits have this one right. I'd rather be able to wish people a Merry Christmas this week without having to worry if they'll be offended. I'd also rather have people wish me Happy Hanukkah, Happy Diwali or Eid Mubarak when those holidays come around. It makes me feel more a part of their celebration. Let's call each holiday what it is instead of trying to lump Jewish, Christian and even the Kwanzaa ritual together. If we need a generic holiday, we've already got the New Year, which touches all people and cultures.

Telling someone to "enjoy your holiday" or worse, sending them "seasons greetings" are cop-outs. Instead of feeling more diverse and inclusive, it just feels like someone took a bit of sparkle out of the December festivities.

The Malaysian Crusade: Take Down BN For The Rise Of Christian In Malaysia.

We know that UMNO and Barisan Nasional is not doing a very good job at governing the country. We need to understand that all the component parties in Barisan Nasional is getting restless due to many of their bad decision in trying to make our country hospitable for every religion.

They failed miserably not because they are insincere about their intention. The failed because they were unclear about what kind of Malaysia do they want this country to be. And can Islam the official religion of this country can strive to be a watchful big brother to all other religion?

We understand the conundrum that the government has to face, however, we believe that Christianity would be a better replacement to Islam as it has been shown in many countries. We are better off with the freedom and compassion that Christian gives rather than the hatred that is shown by many Muslims towards other religion.

Even the rights of the Bumi's will be much more rational if Christianity is accepted by the Malays the majority in this country.

But then again, how can we take down a GIANT as big as Barisan Nasional. Even in the two election which we saw BN at its lowest, still we failed to change the country for a better government.

REMEMBER DAVID !

David was the one who defeated Goliath in one of the most epic battle in Christian History. A small men was able to defeat a towering GIANT. He even did it with a single stone!

Waging an all out war with the Muslims in this country would prove detrimental for us as we are are just a small community. And we the admin of CU4M believe that we can take our small number as an added advantage to our cause. Smaller numbers means more efficient soldiers rather than having a big number but consist of stowaways and slackers. 

UNITE FOR A CHRISTIAN REPUBLIC OF MALAYSIA

We need all Christian Malaysian to discard their beliefs of racism and hatred. We need to convert more Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu and Pagan believer. We must let them feel the love that Christ has given us. We must make them understand that Christ is the only saviour and protector. They must be willing to accept Christ in their hearts, mind and soul. Christ will grant them salvation. 

Yet we are so close but so far. We gave thanks to the missionaries who had come a long way hundreds of years ago to enlighten us with Jesus and God.

The only thing that stands in our way is political perception that was created by the likes of UMNO, Barisan Nasional, Perkasa and many Muslim NGO's in this region. 

We need to work harder and faster to ensure that our just cause will reach its goal. 

Join Us On 31 of December 2013 on this glorious day. We shall show our true strength to the world. Malaysian Christian United For A Better Nation!