In a show of unity, 125 civil society groups and five political parties have come out to condemn unconditionally in the strongest possible terms the attacks against several churches following the controversy over the use of the word Allah.
We the undersigned Malaysian civil society groups from different spiritual, cultural and ideological backgrounds condemn unconditionally in the strongest possible terms the arson against at least three churches following the controversy over the use of the word Allah.
We express our solidarity with the Metro Tabernacle Church at Desa Melawati, Church of the Assumption, Petaling Jaya and Life Chapel, Petaling Jaya, and other churches that have received threats, and to the Malaysian Christian community at large.
Nothing warrants such deliberately provocative violent acts, amounting to terrorism, on places of worship. Such violence however must not be seen as a communal conflict of Muslims and Christians. It is as much an affront to Islam and to all religions as it is to the Christians.
While we celebrate freedom of expression, no demonstration must be carried out to intimidate others who hold different opinions.
These acts are truly 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.
We denounce those who shamelessly manipulate 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.
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We expect the police to now pursue the culprits in the serial arson attacks with their highest diligence and professionalism. Until the criminals are brought to book, the image of the Najib Administration and his “1Malaysia” slogan will be associated with violence and terrorism. We however categorically reject the proposed use of ISA against anyone. The arson suspects must be charged and tried in open court to delegitimize their barbaric act.
We call upon all groups with different views on the issue to seek rational dialogue and reach consensus.
No issue is too sensitive for rational debate in a democratic society. The threat of violence should not be used to kill democratic debate.
We call upon all Malaysians to come together collectively:
- to condemn and denounce acts of desecration of any places of worship, now and in the future;
- to create a healthy atmosphere for the most inclusive debate, dialogue, deliberation and resolution of all issues confronting our multi ethnic, multi faith nation.
Regardless of the developments, ordinary Malaysians will stand firm as a peace-loving nation and support each other.
Endorsing civil society groups
Aliran Kesedaran Negara (Aliran)
All Women’s Action Society
Awal Nahdah
Bar Council of Malaysia
Borneo Research Institute Sarawak (BRIMAS)
Centre for Policy Initiatives (CPI)
Centre of Education. Research and Development (CEDAR)
Child Development Initiative
Civil Rights Committee, Kuala Lumpur Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (CRC KLSCAH)
Civil Society Committee of LLG Cultural Development Centre Bhd (LLGCSC)
Civil Society Initiative for Parliamentary Reform (CSI@Parliament)
Community Action Network (CAN)
Council of Churches of Malaysia (CCM)
Council of Churches of Malaysia Youth (CCM Youth)
Durham Malaysian Scholars
Editorial Board of Horizon E-journal
Education and Research Association of Consumer, Malaysia (ERA Consumer)
Educational, Welfare and Research Foundation Malaysia
Federation of Hopo Associations Malaysia
Federation of Indian Non-Governmental Organisations
Free Public Forum (FPF)
Friends in Conversation (FIC)
Frin Jan
Gabungan Pertubuhan-pertubuhan Masyarakat India Selangor
Good Shepherd Sisters
Group of Concerned Citizens (GCC)
Hartal Mainstream Media (Hartal MSM)
Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf)
Indian Malaysian Active Generation (IMAGE)
Institut Kajian Dasar (IKD)
Institute for Development of Alternative Living (IDEAL)
Islamic Renaissance Front (IRF)
Jamaah Islah Malaysia (JIM)
Jaringan Kampung Orang Asli Perak (JKOAP)
Jaringan Orang Asal SeMalaysia Sarawak (JOAS)
Jaringan Rakyat Tertindas (JERIT)
Johor Tamizhar Sangam
Justice Peace & Solidarity In Mission Office,
Kesatuan Mahasiswa Indipenden (KAMI)
Klang Consumer Association
Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Hopo Association
Kuala Lumpur Hindu Youth Organisation (KLHYO)
Kuala Lumpur Indian Entrepreneurs and Professionals
Kuen Cheng Alumni Kuala Lumpur
Majlis Kelab Bell Belia Tamil Malaysia
Malaysia Hindu Dharma Mamandram
Malaysia Indian Progressive Educational Society
Malaysia Lekshmi Pooja Meditation Society
Malaysia Tamil Artiste Association
Malaysia Tamil Neri Kalagam
Malaysia Thanavasiya Association
Malaysian AIDS Council
Malaysian Archagar Sangam
Malaysian Associated Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry
Malaysian Association of Indian University Graduates
Malaysian Ceylon Saivites Association
Malaysian Consultative Council for Buddhism Christianity Hinduism Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST)
Malaysian Dravidian Association
Malaysian Hindu Youth Council
Malaysian Indian Business Association
Malaysian Indian Development & Unity Association
Malaysian Indian Development Association
Malaysian Indian Entrepreneurs and Professionals
Malaysian Indian Historical Association
Malaysian Indian Youth Development Foundation
Malaysian Tamil Forum
Middle Eastern Graduate Society
Monitoring Sustainability of Globalisation (MSN)
Muslim Professionals Forum (MPF)
myFuture Foundation
National Institute for Electoral Integrity (NIEI)
New Millennium Indian Business Association of Malaysia
Nur Damai
Oriental Hearts and Minds Institute (OHMSI)
Penang Du Zhong Education Society
Penang Indian Entrepreneurs and Professionals
Penggerak Belia MPSJ Zon 23
Persahabatan Semparuthi
Persatuan Alumni PBTUSM Selangor
Persatuan Aruloli Mandram, Malaysia
Persatuan Kebajikan Dan Sosial Kamakshi Wilayah Utara
Persatuan Kebajikan MGR
Persatuan Kebajikan Namakkal Malaysia
Persatuan Kesedaran Komuniti Selangor (Empower)
Persatuan Mahasiswa Islam Universiti Malaya (PMIUM)
Persatuan Masyarakat Selangor & Wilayah Persekutuan (PERMAS)
Persatuan Meditasi Malaysia (Dhyana Ashram)
Persatuan Meditasi Projan Kuala Lumpur and Selangor
Persatuan Penduduk Taman Muhibbah
Persatuan Pergabung Tamil Malaysia
Persatuan Silambam Malaysia
Pertubuhan Kesedaran Hare Krishna Klang
Pusat KOMAS
Research for Social Advancement (REFSA)
Robson Hill Study Group
Saiva Siddhanta Mandram Malaysia
Sarawak Central Region Friendship Association
Sarawak Dayak Iban Association (SADIA)
Sarawak Native Land Rights Owners (TAHABAS)
Sarawak Women for Women Society
Sarawakians Access (SACCESS);
Saya Anak Bangsa Malaysia
Selangor and Kuala Lumpur Kwang Tung Association
Selangor Indian Entrepreneurs and Professionals
Sisters In Islam (SIS)
Southeast Asian Centre for e-Media (SEACEM)
SPNS, Bidor
Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM)
Sundararaja Perumal Devasthanam Klang
Tamilar Sangam, Teluk Intan
TENAGANITA
The Micah Mandate (TMM)
Thiruvalluvar Nanneri Mayam Cameron Highlands
Thiruvarul Thavaneri Mandram Malaysia
Universiti Terbuka Perak (Ureka)
Wanita Desa Sarawak (WADESA)
Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO)
World Tamil Federation – Malaysian Chapter
Writer Alliance for Media Independence (WAMI)
Yayasan Penyelidikan dan Pembangunan Pendidikan Tamil Malaysia (Tamil Foundation)
Youth for Change (Y4C)
Youth Section of Melaka Chinese Assembly Hall
Youth Section of Negeri Sembilan Chinese Assembly Hall
Youth Section of Persatuan Wui Leng Selangor dan Kuala Lumpur
Youth Section of Selangor and Kuala Lumpur Chinese Assembly Hall
Endorsing Political Parties
- Democratic Action Party (DAP)
- Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM)
- Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (Pas)
- PKR
- Human Rights Party (HRP)
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