In fact, I was so horrified at this woman’s completely misguided and misled portrayal of Islam and Malaysia that I felt compelled to respond with this:

I felt a strong need to stand up for my country and reiterate the lack of persecution by Muslims in Malaysia. In fact, I wasn’t the only one. Gabby, the copywriter I work with, had the same sentiments and even extended her defense to Muslims in general.

For 24 hours, I found such claims so ridiculous and my colleagues and I spent many moments wondering where people like these get ideas planted in their heads. I mean — elimination and persecution? All my life as a Christian living in Malaysia, I have never been persecuted. And I have not known of any other Christians being persecuted.

Until I came into the office this morning, and read this >>

In fact, last I checked, we’re right on the front page of BBC News Online, right under “More Top Stories” and with a header image to boot.

Suddenly, it hit me. Perhaps this Elizabeth woman wasn’t so far off after all. Is she predicting what may come?

After all, in the past 12 hours, the number of churches fire-bombed has increased to 4 and according to various news sources, even more phone threats have been reported.

For those of you who are not aware (how can you not, though), this follows hot on the heels of the “Allah” debate in our country.

Our politicians disrespectfully disagreed with the High Court’s decision to allow a Catholic weekly to use the word “Allah” in their Bahasa Malaysia circulation and went ahead to appeal to an even higher court. In fact, they appealed as the “Prime Minister’s Department”.

Honestly, this speaks volumes. It’s essentially saying that our entire government is completely against the decision made by the judiciary. The implications this appeal has is tremendous.

Even more so disappointing is our Prime Minister’s reaction (or lackthereof) to the entire fiasco.

The Prime Minister said he viewed the matter seriously as these actions could jeopardise harmony, adding that the Government would take all possible action to prevent such incident from recurring. (Source: theStar)

In any other country, whether for PR or public gain, a full and official statement is usually made, almost immediately, by the premier following such acts of terrorism. Why? Because a proper, strong and unwavering stance should be made by the leader of the country.

But all our PM said (or reportedly said) was that he condemns it because it jeopardises our harmony and to not blame UMNO for instigating such violent responses?

Where is mention of our freedom of worship?
Where does he say that such acts are unIslamic?

Perhaps he means to maintain that everyone is innocent, until proven guilty. But the truth is this…

“Is it enough to just say ‘stop overreacting and being overzealous and stop jumping to conclusions’?”

I don’t know about you. But any moderately intelligent person can deduce that an act of terrorism performed four times in 12 hours using the same modus operandi is premeditated.

And any moderately intelligent person can deduce that it very possibly has something to do with the fact that protests against the use of “Allah” in Christian publications were scheduled to be held today.

Perhaps, sir, a better response would be to address the possibilities, and not sweep it under the carpet. Perhaps, then, you would increase the amount of respect your people have for you and that of the world. By taking a strong stance, you lead not only the voice of your party, but the voice of your community, and the voice of your country.

For those of you professing hate for our Muslim brothers and sisters, please refrain from doing so. I strongly believe that the acts of a few do not represent the thoughts of the majority.

Any act of terrorism, particularly against a house of worship, is condemned in the Quran. Surah 22, Verse 40 of the Quran says:

“(They are) those who have been expelled from their homes in defiance of right,- (for no cause) except that they say, “our Lord is Allah.. Did not Allah check one set of people by means of another, there would surely have been pulled down monasteries, churches, synagogues, and mosques, in which the name of Allah is commemorated in abundant measure. Allah will certainly aid those who aid his (cause);- for verily Allah is full of Strength, Exalted in Might, (able to enforce His Will)”.( Quran 22:40)

(Taken from the blog of Anas Zubedy)

Christianity and Islam share the same birth land, the same language, and the same prophets. In fact, we are more similar than the modern world makes us out to be.

Perhaps the solution to all this would be to have a public and educated forum on religions. Instead of focusing on our differences, why not focus on our similarities? Why not increase the awareness of the fact that Allah is God, and God is Allah?

At the end of the day, one thing stands out very clearly — Christians and Muslims worship the same God.

So why are we still fighting?

Truth is, I’m more sad, than I am angry. Dark days will come from this. Local news reports say that “no one has been hurt in these attacks”. But the truth is this…

Irregardless of race, religion, ethnicity or nationality.

We have all been hurt.

So to all my friends, irregardless of your faith, let us pray.

Let us pray for our nation’s strength.
Let us pray for the hand of the Lord to guide our leaders as they navigate our people and country through such troubled times.
Let us pray for fairness, transparency and truth in this investigation.
Let us pray for clear minds for our people.
Let us pray for that our wonderful Muslim brothers and sisters stand up, speak up and dissociate themselves from such acts of terrorism.
Let us pray for light in this time of darkness.
Let us pray for love among our people.

For my friends who do not adhere to any particular religious belief / doctrine, let us possess the same intentions.

The same intentions of fairness, transparency and truth in our country. The same intentions of light.

We really only have one world, and one lifetime to live in it.

But if you only have love for your own race
Then you only leave space to discriminate
And to discriminate only generates hate
And when you hate then you’re bound to get irate, yeah
Madness is what you demonstrate
And that’s exactly how anger works and operates
Man, you gotta have love just to set it straight
Take control of your mind and meditate
Let your soul gravitate to the love, y’all, y’all…

Instead of spreading love we’re spreading animosity
Lack of understanding, leading lives away from unity

Where is the love?