Political & judicial authority

Issues concerning democracy, citizenship, law, politics, media, religion / Church and society, ...

Selangor To Non-Muslims: All Right To Use Allah

Non-Muslims in Selangor can use the word "Allah" as long as they do not use it to propagate their religion to Muslims, Selangor executive councillor for Islamic affairs Sallehin Mukhyi said today.

He told the state assembly during a question-and-answer session that this is in accordance with the Selangor Non-Islamic Religions (Control of Propagation Among Muslims) Enactment 1988. Read more »

Christian Federation Of Malaysia: Selangor State Government Shirking Responsibility

It was reported on 2 April 2014 that the Selangor State Government had advised the Bible Society of Malaysia (BSM) to write to the Attorney General to request for the release of Bibles seized from its premises on 2 January 2014.

The Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM) is disappointed by this apparent attempt on the part of the Selangor State Government to wash its hands off the matter. Read more »

MP for Serdang To Selangor Menteri Besar: Don’t Abdicate Responsibility On Confiscation Of Bibles

Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim should not abdicate his responsibility of seeking a fair and just solution to the confiscation of the 300 Malay and Iban bibles from the Bible Society of Malaysia (BSM) by the Jabatan Agama Islam Selangor (JAIS)

We read with great concern Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim’s statement yesterday that the Selangor state government has decided to ask the Bible Society of Malaysia (BSM) to write directly to the Attorney General to request for the confiscated bibles to be returned back to them. Read more »

UN Human Rights: Notes On Central African Republic, Malaysia And Ukraine

Rupert Colville, the spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, gave the following press briefing on Central African Republic, Malaysia and Ukraine:

1) Central African Republic
Although the security situation seems to have recently improved in some parts of the Central African Republic, we are very concerned about the critical situation prevailing in Boda, a town located some 190 km west of the capital. Read more »

Christian Churches Support Malaysian Catholics Under Attack Over “Allah” Name

Catholic and Protestant Churches around the world have expressed their support for Christian leaders in Malaysia who have come under attack and increasing pressure as a trial approaches against non-Muslim Malaysians using the word Allah.

The World Methodist Council (WMCI) is the latest body to express its solidarity, shocked and dismayed by the Court of Appeal's ruling in October to bar the Catholic weekly, Herald, from using the word. Read more »

CLS Press Statement: Inter-Religious Relations In Jeopardy

The Catholic Lawyers’ Society, Kuala Lumpur (CLS) condemns the acts of violence and provocation by irresponsible individuals in Penang.

Certain quarters are out to create trouble, tarnish the image of the country and instil fear in the people of Malaysia especially the Christians.

We call on the authorities to take action against these irresponsible elements in order to maintain peace and harmony in the country. Read more »

Pope Says Judgments On Annulments Must Be Impartial And Pastoral

Addressing the Vatican court primarily responsible for hearing requests for marriage annulments, Pope Francis said judges on church tribunals should show "imperturbable and impartial balance" as well as the "delicacy and humanity proper to a pastor of souls."

The pope made his remarks Jan. 24 to officials of the Roman Rota, at a meeting to inaugurate the tribunal's judicial year. Read more »

Fr. Lawrence Andrew Not To Be Singled Out On “Allah” For Bahasa Malaysia Service

Catholic priest Rev. Father Lawrence Andrew's life is at risk as long as Selangor Umno roadshows single him out as the main instigator of non-Muslims using "Allah" in the state, say several concerned lawyers.

They agreed that despite targeting Andrew, the real purpose of the roadshows was to threaten the Christian community against using the word. Read more »

Youths Of St. Anne’s Church To Fr. Lawrence Andrew: We Stand By You

Dear Fr Lawrence Andrew SJ, We the Youths of St Anne’s Church wish to express our whole-hearted support for you during this critical period where you have been subjected to severe persecution in the form of vicious attacks and contempt by the use of offensive words like “biadap” and the burning of your pictures and effigy by certain irresponsible, misguided and extremist segments of the Muslim population within Selangor. Read more »

Archdiocese Of Kuala Lumpur Pastoral Letter: Justice And Peace

My dear people in the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur, Greetings of peace to you.

Justice, and only justice, you shall follow, that you may live and inherit the land that the Lord your God is giving you (Deuteronomy 16:20).

The Catholic Church has been in the forefront of justice and peace. Read more »

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