A church in southern Malaysia has been vandalised, apparently the latest in a string of attacks on Christian houses of worship in this Muslim-majority nation, police said Saturday. Eleven churches _ as well as one Sikh temple - have been damaged since a court ruled late last month that non-Muslims can use the word Allah to refer to God.
The decision angered many Muslims, who say the word is exclusive to their religion and its use by others could confuse Muslims into converting. Officials at a church in southern Negeri Sembilan state found a window at their building smashed late Friday, said Saiful Azly Kamaruddin, a district police chief.
He said police were still investigating, but the attack appeared to be vandalism. Police have stepped up patrols and deployed more plainclothes officials in the area, he said. Earlier Friday, police charged a Malaysian student was charged Friday after allegedly posting comments on Facebook about throwing a gasoline bomb.
Mohamad Tasyrif Tajudin, 25, allegedly wrote, "You want me to throw a petrol (gasoline) bomb there? We can negotiate the price" in a recent Facebook discussion over the use of the word Allah by non-Muslims. Many of the churches vandalised were hit by Molotov Cocktails. He was charged under the Communications and Multimedia Act for improper use of the Internet, which carries a penalty of up to a year in jail and a fine if found guilty, said deputy public prosecutor Dusuki Mokhtar.
"He was not the one who prepared the firebombs or committed the crime. But he misused Facebook with the intention to cause disturbance. Posting such remarks is sensitive and dangerous," Dusuki told The Associated Press. Mohamad Tasyrif didn't enter a plea and will remain in police custody as the case was postponed until Monday, he said.
Since January 8, unidentified attackers have hurled Molotov Cocktails at eight churches, one of which was partially gutted. Two other churches were vandalised with paint, and a Sikh temple was pelted with stones, apparently because Sikhs use the word Allah in their scriptures. No arrests have been made in connection with the attacks.
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