CNI CONDEMNS THE ATTACK ON CHRISTIAN CHURCHES IN MALAYSIA The Rev. Dr. Enos Das Pradhan, General Secretary of the Church of North India and the Hony. Executive Secretary of the Communion of Churches in India gravely condemns the recent attacks on Churches in Malaysia after a Malaysian Court ruled that Churches can use the word “Allah” to address God. Rev. Pradhan termed the attacks as ‘inhumane’ and ‘barbaric’ as the perpetrators looted and vandalized many Protestant and Catholic Churches in the country.
“The attacks on Christian churches in Malaysia is not just attacks on houses of worship, they are attacks on the values and freedoms of all Malaysian citizens. We at the Church of North India join millions of Christians and the people from different faiths including the Muslims of the world in condemning the recent attacks on Christian Churches. These unprecedented attacks have strained the relationship of minority Christian and Malay Muslims, dented the image of peaceful country of Malaysia and raising question about political stability in the country” commented Rev. Dr. Pradhan.
Churches in the Asian countries have always been in the forefront for promoting peace and universal brotherhood of all faiths and communities. Incidents of this kind only create a climate of fear and a perceived threat to national security. In a country like Malaysia which bosoms people of all faiths it is important to promote a culture of communal harmony. Hence, he appeals to the people of various denominations to maintain peace and demands that Malaysian Government must ensure safety and security of its citizens irrespective of ethnicity and religions and punish those who are involved in ransacking the places of Christian worship.
Through a Memorandum submitted to the visiting Prime Minister of Malaysia Hon’ble Datuk Seri Md. Najib Tun Abdul Razak through the High Commissioner of Malaysia in New Delhi Dr. Pradhan urged to the Malaysian Government to take immediate action to protect the sanctity of the Religious Places and to restore the peace and communal harmony in the country and to take action against the culprits who are trying to tarnish the image of Malaysia. He also assured of continuous Prayer support and solidarity to all the Christians in Malaysia and in particular to the sister church Gereja Presbyterian Church in Malaysia during this horrifying time.
The Church of North India, the Church of South India and the Mar Thoma Church are the three large Protestant Churches which constitute the Communion of Churches in India, with a membership of over 7 million.
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