Still No Action!

It has been 2 Months since me and Joachim lodged the Police report on Al-Islam. We have Submitted 2 Letters to the police requesting on the status of the investigation. On the 20th of August 09, Me, Joachim and Annou Xavier (A member of the Catholic Lawyers Society) had walked in to the Dang Wangi Police Station in Kuala Lumpur to meet with the Investigation Officer and inquire about the status of the case. We there after had a press conference. We were told by the police that they have completed their investigations and have submitted their papers to the Attorney General`s Chambers. Which means the next step would be for the AG Chambers to press charges against the Journalist and the Al-Islam Publisher. There are solid evidence of self admittance in this case as the Journalist him self had confess in the magazine that he did take part in the Christian Rituals and consumed the Holy Body of Christ. What is then stopping the AG Chambers from pressing charges against them?

On the 27th of August 09, The Catholic Lawyers Society had handed over a MEMORANDUM to the Home Ministry urging the Authorities to take action. (The copy of the MEMO is attached with this mail). But till today still no action is taken by the authorities and government. Upon doing a search, i found out that the Al-Islam magazine is linked to the tycoons of UMNO. Al-Islam Magazine is published by Utusan Karya Sdn.Bhd (Anak Syarikat Kumpulan Utusan).

We all know that the AG Chambers are installed by the UMNO government. Which means the AG Chambers is not independent and have to answer to UMNO. Why is the AG Chambers and Government practicing double standards? This is a serious offense of insult towards a religion by the culprits. What message is the Government trying to send to the Rakyat ? Are they saying that we don`t care of your religion? Are saying that, we rule this country and it is our wish what ever we want to do? Are they trying to protect the UMNO cronies? If no, then why practice double standards?

On Nov 2006 in Silibin Ipoh, nearly 500 Muslims had gathered outside a Catholic church to protest on false claims by the Mufti of Perak, Haji Harussani, that muslim students were to be baptized by national mariner Datuk Azhar Mansor. Years have pass and till today still no action has been taken against the Mufti. Why? Last week the nation was shocked by the protest of a few Muslim (Believed to be UMNO members) whom took a cows head, step on it and dedicated it to the Menteri Besar of Selangor. This men had protested against the state government for allowing a temple to be build in Selangor. They have the right to protest and voice out their views. But why insult the Hindu`s by using a cow head and stepping on it?

"Saya cabar YB Khalid, YB Rodziah dan Xavier Jeyakumar untuk meneruskan pembinaan kuil itu, Saya jamin pertumpahan darah dan ketegangan kaum akan tercetus jika pembinaan ini diteruskan juga dan kerajaan negeri akan dipertanggungjawabkan" said Ibrahim Hj Sabri, whom was one of the organizer's. Till today, there is no action taken against those involved in the protest. Why? infact the Home Minister, Hishamudin has thrown his support for those whom organized the protest and even held a press conference together with them. What is happening to our country? What 1 Malaysia is Najib talking about? Is his trying to mean 1 UMNO?

I ask for all the non Muslims not to have an bad impression on Islam. Islam does not teaches this kind of act. The are millions of Muslims out there whom would say no and distance themselves from this behavior. This is an barbaric act. An act of injustice and a act of Satan.

Over and over again the rakyat is being fooled by the drama of UMNO. They try to potray them self as good people trying to save Malaysia. Actually i believe that they are placed by evil to destroy Malaysia. They will only serve the interest of UMNO. As longs as they benefit from an act, they will do it. They have no interest in the Problems of the Non-UMNO Muslims and the Non-Muslims.

Millions of Malaysians had protested against the Act of the journalist whom entered the Church to spy, "including good Muslims" by letters, press statements, sms, phone calls, articles and etc. Is the government blind and deaf of this issue. Is the government saying it`s ok to spy on other religions belief and insult their teaching?

This is a strong message of thank you to the people of Sabah and Sarawak from the UMNO government. Thank you for saving them during the last general elections. We will not give up this fight. We will continue to stand up and ensure that justice is served. By now the people of Sabah and Sarawak should already know what to do in the coming general elections. Kindly forward this message to all your contact. We will keep you all updated on our next action in the days to come. Below is the Memo by the Catholic Lawyers Society.

MEMO HANDED OVER TO HOME MINISTRY!!!

1. INTENTION OF THE MEMORANDUMThis Memorandum is intended to express the concerns over the insensitivity of the magazine Al-Islam, its journalist, its editor and its publisher who were responsible for the publication of the article ‘TINJAUAN AL ISLAM DALAM GEREJA – MENCARI KESAHIHAN REMAJA MELAYU MURTAD’ (“Impugned Article”) that appeared in its May 2009 issue.

2. THE OBJECTIVE OF THE MEMORANDUMTo convey the severity of these inconsiderate acts that are disclosed in the Impugned Article and to express hope that The Honourable, The Minister, will take appropriate action against those responsible including such actions as are appropriate against the editor and publisher of the magazine itself.

3. STATEMENTS FROM THE IMPUGNED ARTICLEThe following particulars are extracted from the Impugned Article:

3.1. The journalist, Muhd. Ridhwan Abdul Jalil @ Erwanz received news that Malay adolescents (remaja) suspected „murtad‟ were converting to Christianity.

3.2. From undisclosed source(s), the journalist was informed that many had embraced Christianity after being persuaded and being offered various inducements such as monthly allowances and that their tuition fees will be paid for.

3.3. That these young Malay „murtad‟ congregate at Church every Sunday morning.

3.4. From their undisclosed source(s), the journalist was informed that Christians who have successfully converted the students from Centres of Higher Learning will be rewarded monetarily. If they convert a Malay, their monetary reward would be higher.

3.5. On Sunday at 8am the journalist and his friend appeared in a Church. The service was in English.

3.6. The journalist and his friend proceeded to another church at 11 am. A church that was close to Puduraya Bus Station.

3.7. While waiting for the Church service they found that those present at the Church premises were from, inter alia, Sabah and Sarawak and that they looked like Malays.

3.8. At 12noon, the journalist and his friend entered the Church and participated in the service.

3.9. During the service, the journalist partook in Holy Communion by receiving the white bread (host) from a priest.

3.10. The journalist having received the Holy Communion (host) in his mouth removed it later, photographed the same and published it in the Impugned Article.

3.11. That the journalist and his friend did not find any cases of conversion of Malay adolescents (remaja) as alleged by his sources.

4. VIOLATION OF CATHOLIC BELIEF

4.1. Fundamental and central to the Catholic belief is the Holy Communion, the wafer or white bread/host that is transformed into the body of Christ during the Mass.

4.2. It is a tenet of the Catholic faith that only Catholics who have been adequately instructed on the doctrines of the Faith are eligible to partake in Holy Communion.

4.3. In this respect anyone who is not a Catholic or who has not received the requisite instruction is not permitted to receive Holy Communion. This is announced strenuously at Mass before the congregation is invited to receive Holy Communion.

4.4. By violating the sanctity of the Holy Communion as described above in paragraph 3.10, the journalist showed utter disrespect for the sensitivities of others, and Catholics in particular.

4.5. This sacrilegious act of the journalist is an unprovoked attack on the fundamental belief of the Catholic community.

4.6. Regrettably it was not just the act of the journalist that had breached this fundamental belief of the Catholic community, rather, it was the blatant disrespect shown by the editor and publisher of Al Islam in publishing the Impugned Article.

4.7. The acts, conduct and lack of respect shown by these persons have filled the Catholic community with outrage, shock and disbelief!

4.8. Such callous acts on the part of the journalist, the editor and publisher of Al-Islam have only added fuel to the racial and religious polarisation that has besieged this nation.

5. POLICE REPORT

5.1. Against such abuses, two members of the Catholic community, K. Sudhagaran Stanley and Joachim Francis Xavier (“complainants”) had lodged a police report on the Impugned Article.

5.2. The police report was lodged at the Jalan Patani police station in Penang on 8th July 2009. The investigations are however carried out at Dang Wangi police station at Kuala Lumpur by Investigating Officer Inspector Terwaris (Tel No. 019 424 8148).A copy of the Police Report is attached herewith and marked as Annex 2.

6. OUTRAGE FROM THE PUBLIC

6.1. Since the Impugned Article was made public, many have expressed outrage over the unrepentant misconduct of the journalist and the audacity of the editor and the publisher of the magazine Al-Islam for publishing the Impugned Article.

6.2. YB Khairy Jamaluddin expressed himself over the Impugned Article in his blog as follows,“THE ACTIONS of a journalist from Al-Islam magazine of going undercover to two Catholic Churches during Sunday mass, consuming and spitting the Holy Communion wafer - what Catholics believe to be the flesh of Christ himself - out of his mouth before photographing it, can only be described as appalling and offensive. As Leader of Barisan Nasional and UMNO Youth and as a Muslim, I have no reservations whatsoever in condemning this instance of unethical journalism, grounded in both disrespect and ignorance.”

6.3. The Honourable Member of Parliament for Rembau went on to state that,“Everyone involved in the researching, writing and publishing of this article should have considered the fact that Muslims already find it offensive when non-Muslims do not observe basic courtesies expected when in a mosque, like taking off shoes and covering heads. They should further imagine their own reactions if someone went undercover in their local mosques, pretend to worship as a Muslim and made a mockery of congregation prayer. I suspect Al-Islam failed to consider the fact that the gravity of their own actions were similar to this hypothetical situation where the sanctity of the Muslim place and act of worship are violated. And this is at the heart of the problems we face as a multi-cultural and multi-religious society - people simply do not stop to think about another community's legitimate interests and sensitivities by positioning themselves from another's perspective before acting.”For completeness a copy of YB Khairy’s statement is attached herewith and marked as Annex 3.

6.4. Such outrage drew concerns on the level of respect and tolerance accorded to religious communities. The Christian Federation of Malaysia had this to say,“Firstly it is not proper or acceptable for adherents of one religion to spy on worshippers of another. Matters of faith and belief are personal, and it should not be the case that citizens of Malaysia should be made to live in fear of professing and practising the religion of their own free choice in public.”A copy of the article is attached herewith and marked as Annex 4.

6.5. Some have expressed outrage in that the Impugned Article afflicts inter-religious understanding in this country. Farish Noor in his article said,“This, then, is the root of our problem today and the revelation of the report in al-Islam is just the tip of the iceberg. If we are worried about the impact that such reports may have on inter-religious understanding in the country, we ought to be more worried about the social environment that produced such reporting in the first place, and which sustains the readership of such divisive material. We are, in short, in a mess.”A copy of Farish Noor’s article is attached herewith and marked as Annex 5.

6.6. The foreign press too had reported the controversy surrounding the Impugned Article. The Associated Press reports religious minorities fear that their rights are being sidelined. We quote their report as follows,“The investigation poses a fresh challenge for the government in its efforts to reduce religious friction in this ethnic Malay Muslim-majority country, where religious minorities have complained that their rights are being sidelined in favor of Islam.”A copy of report is attached herewith and marked as Annex 6.

6.7. There were many other reports and statements that have raised similar outrage and sentiments over the Impugned Article. Suffice for the purpose of this Memorandum a few of the statements are mentioned above to impress upon the Honourable Minister the severity and concerns expressed over the Impugned Article.

7. OUTRAGE BY THE CATHOLIC COMMUNITY

7.1. The Catholic community remains in disbelief over the conduct of the journalists.

7.2. Martin Jalleh a fellow Catholic had expressed himself as follows,“Sadly, your disrespect knew no bounds. You chose to abandon all human and religious decency with impunity as a journalist and a Muslim. Under pretense of being a Catholic you participated in the church service and even partook of the Holy Communion (a white and sacred wafer) strictly meant only for Catholics.You consumed the white wafer which Catholics hold as very sacred and treat with utmost reverence, and both of you spat out the remnants, photographed it and published the picture in an article entitled “Tinjaun Al Islam Dalam Gereja:Mencari Kesahihan Remaja Murtad” which was published in the May 2009 issue of the Al Islam magazine.”“The sensitivities of Catholics have been completely ignored. Indeed, the latest episode is but a blatant act of contempt towards our religion.”

7.3. Another Catholic, Gregory Chan had this to say,“Such conduct and behaviour is intolerable, inexcusable, unjustifiable, outrageous and, above all, criminal. In such circumstances, justice has to be allowed to take its course, and due process of the law must take place. I want these journalists to know and understand that there are consequences to their actions. I want these people who think they are at liberty to desecrate our rituals, our sacred liturgy, and our most Holy Eucharist on the pretext of ferreting out "murtad cases" to understand that such misguided and unfounded belief does not afford them a defence. Such belief does not give them the licence to commit what Catholics regard as sacrilege, to desecrate what we hold as holy, sacred, reverent and sacrosanct.”

7.4. The profound sadness of the Catholic community arising from the Impugned Article cannot be over simplified or brushed aside.

8. CONCERNS OF INACTION FROM THE AUTHORITIES

8.1. Concerns have now been expressed that there appears to be inaction on the police report and on the part of the relevant authorities in bringing to book those responsible for the Impugned Article.

8.2. Some have written open letters to declare outrage over the inaction with respect to the Impugned Article. We quote one letter written to Malaysiakini by Dr. Jacob George as follows,“Prime Minister Najib Razak is on record that serious action will be taken on those who offends any religion or religious practices in the country.One of the penal sanctions which may be considered in this matter is the law applying to sedition.Of late, I see many individuals been hauled up for allegedly insulting religion without first ascertaining the facts.I'm wondering what ever happened to the police report filed by Joachim Francis Xavier on the actions of monthly Malay-language Al-Islam magazine.”

8.3. Another concerned person expressed his views in a letter to the editor of The Herald over such inaction as follows,“Like any other Catholic, I too feel very sad and unhappy at the response from the authorities regarding the episode on our very precious Holy Eucharist.I feel as though our hands and legs are tied and we cannot do more in seeking justice towards the great wrong done towards our Faith and the statement in our Rukun Negara – Kepercayaan kepada Tuhan.”

8.4. It appears that the authorities are slow to investigate and act on matters where rights of religious minorities in this country have been violated. Such sentiments were expressed recently in a letter to the editor of the Herald where it was said,“Sesungguhnya Ekaristi merupakan puncak hidup seorang umat Katolik. Kita telah diajar bahawa kita harus menghormati Tubuh Kristus, berpuasa dan dibaptis terlebih dahulu sebelum layak menerima Tubuh Kristus. Ekaristi merupakan lambing pengorbanan Kristus diatas kayu salib dan sebagai tanda kehadiran Kristus.Tubuh Kristus pernah dicemari oleh dua orang wartawan Islam yang masuk ke Gereja kerana mencari kesahihan sama ada umat Islam murtad.Mereka menyiasat dan mengikuti tatacara liturgi Gereja sehingglah sanggup menerima Tubuh Kristus.Sehingga kini, masih belum ada apa-apa tindakan terhadap dua orang wartawan tersebut. Tidak ada tindakan daripada pihak berkuasa, ataupun kenyataan daripada pihak mereka.Tetapi anehnya, sembilan orang Kristian ditangkap pula di UPM, selepas beberapa pelajar membuat laporan polis. Wah! Begitu cepat sekali tindakan telah diambil.”

8.5. The perception remains that no action will be taken against those responsible for the Impugned Article.

9. REASONS FOR SUCH PERCEPTION

9.1. Such perception is not without basis. Previous incidents abound where the authorities have failed to take to task those responsible for instigating religious disharmony.

9.2. One such incident is the act of the Mufti of Perak, Haji Harussani Haji Zakaria who in November 2006 alleged that Muslim students of the Ungku Omar Polytechnic were to be baptised by national mariner Datuk Azhar Mansor! This saw the presence of about 500 Muslims protesting in front of the Catholic Church of Our Lady of Lourdes in Ipoh following a widely circulated SMS.

9.3. The church was not converting Muslims but instead was holding the First Holy Communion Mass (one of the rites of initiation to the faith) for 98 Catholic children, many of whom were traumatised by the sight of a threatening mob.

9.4. The mufti blamed the presence of this mob on the SMS sent out by a woman. Again no action was taken against the mufti, and the authorities remained mute (on both occasions) over his misconduct.

9.5. Granted that the acts of the mob at the church in Ipoh were only conducted outside the perimeter of the church but we note with concern that without firm action from the authorities on the aforementioned incident, others have now seen it fit to enter the compound of the church to not only descrate what the Catholics have held as holy and sacred but to publish such insidious acts in a magazine for all and sundry to read without a thought that such acts will offend the Catholic community.

9.6. This progression of misconduct lies at the heart of our concern. The continued silence by the authorities over past misconducts appears to legitimise subsequent misconducts. Unless those responsible are brought to justice, there will be others in future who will treat such inaction as a license to act and continue other atrocities without fear of the law and consequences of their action to the detriment of religious minorities in this country.

10. THE LAW

10.1. It is for these reasons that laws have been enacted to act as a deterrent to those who incite religious disharmony.

10.2. Section 295 of the Penal Code states that it is an offence,“… to defile damage or destroy any object held sacred by any class of persons, with the intention of thereby insulting the religion of any class of persons, or with the knowledge that any class of persons is likely to consider such destruction, damage, or defilement as an insult to their religion…”

10.3. Section 298A of the Penal Code states that it is an offence,“… to cause or attempt to cause, or do any act that is likely to cause disharmony, disunity, or feelings of enmity, hatred or ill-will; or prejudice or attempts to prejudice, or is likely to prejudice, the maintenance of harmony or unity, on grounds of religion, between persons or groups of persons professing the same or different religions….”

10.4. Similar provisions are available in the Printing Presses & Publications Act 1984 that provides for sanction against the journalist, the editor and the publisher which includes suspension and revocation of their printing and publication licenses.

10.5. The authority to act, investigate and prosecute in accordance with these laws lie with the various agencies that are under the auspices of the Honourable Minister and the Attorney General.

11. 1 MALAYSIA

11.1. The Federal government has now promoted the concept of 1 Malaysia. The Honourable Prime Minister explains the goal of 1 Malaysia as follows,“1Malaysia is intended to provide a free and open forum to discuss the things that matter deeply to us as a Nation. It provides a chance to express and explore the many perspectives of our fellow citizens. What makes Malaysia unique is the diversity of our peoples. 1Malaysia’s goal is to preserve and enhance this unity in diversity which has always been our strength and remains our best hope for the future.”

11.2. If the objective of 1 Malaysia is to preserve and enhance unity of our people, then sadly the Impugned Article has done just the reverse.

11.3. The Honourable Prime Minister has recently called on the police to investigate those who have made seditious remarks.

11.4. The Honourable Prime Minister was quoted as follows,“The Sedition Act not only can be applied in cases of seditious statements made against Islam, but against other religions and races too.If we insult someone and the insult can cause friction (among the people), then action can be taken under the law."

11.5. We reiterate our hope that the Honourable Minister will do likewise and bring to justice those responsible for the Impugned Article.We look forward to swift and immediate action in the matter by the Honourable Minister.

God Bless,

Catholic Lawyers Society Kuala Lumpur

IPD DANG WANGI!!

Segerakan bertindak terhadap Al Islam

By Malaysiakini http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/110999

kemaskini 4.37pm Aktivis Katholik, yang masih tidak berpuas hati atas ketiadaan tindakan terhadap Al Islam, hari ini membuat desakan agar polis menyegerakannya berhubung dakwaan menghina agama itu.Sudhagaran Stanley dan rakannya Joachim Francis Xavier menghantar sendiri surat gesaan ke ibu pejabat polis daerah (IPD) Dang Wangi, Kuala Lumpur pada jam 11 pagi ini. Kedua-duanya, yang berasal dari Pulau Pinang, ditemani oleh seorang peguam Annou Xavier. Bercakap kepada media selepas itu, Annou berkata, surat anak guamnya itu turut mempersoalkan kelambatan tindakan terhadap wartawan majalah itu, Muhd Ridwan Abdul Jalil.Annou berkata, Sudhagaran dan Joachim pernah menghantar surat yang sama kepada IPD berkenaan pada ada 5 Ogos lalu tetapi sehingga kini belum mendapat sebarang balasan.Dalam kenyataan bersama Sudhagaran dan Joachim yang diedarkan kepada media, mereka menyarankan wartawan dan majalah itu didakwa bawah Seksyen 295 Kanun Keseksaan berhubung kesalahan “mencemarkan tempat sembahyang dengan niat dengan mengaibkan agama mana-mana golongan”.“Kami hairan kenapa siasatannya mengambil masa yang begitu lama. Dan bila ia dianggap selesai, kenapa tiada tindakan dikenakan kepada wartawan dan majalah itu. “Tambahan, indakan boleh juga diambil bawah Akta Mesin Cetak dan Penerbitan terhadap penerbit Al-Islam, Utusan Karya Sdn Bhd, anak syarikat kumpulan Utusan,” kata mereka.Ditanya sama ada anak guamnya memberikan sebarang tarikh akhir kepada polis supaya menjawab surat itu, Annou berkata: “Tiada, kita tidak mahu ganggu tugas polis.”Walaupun laporan polis Sudhagaran dan Joachim itu dibuat IPD Timur Laut di Pulau Pinang, kes tersebut disiasat pegawai IPD Dang Wangi kerana Al-Islam beroperasi di Kuala Lumpur.Kedua-dua aktivis dari Pusat Keuskupan Katholik Pulau Pinang itu juga belum memutuskan masa untuk menghantar memorandum membantah kelewatan itu kepada Kementerian Dalam Negeri (KDN) seperti dirancang sebelumnya.

MEMO HANDOVER POSTPONED!

Dear friends,

It is with a heavy heart, i write to you to inform you that the Memo handover to the KDN pertaining to the Al-Islam issue has been postponed indefintely due to the unexpected responses the Catholic Lawyer's Association of KL has received from certain disgruntled parties who feel we (the Christians) are on a vendetta against the Muslim people. This disgruntled parties have expressed their unhappiness over the planned Memo handover in a manner that appears to compromise the safety of the people who would be involved in the handover.

The response from Christians to the Memo handover itself has been tremendous with groups of people even from as far as Penang organising themselves to be in Putrajaya. Some churches in KL have even gone as far as printing banners and posters in preparation for the Memo handover. However, the CLA has made it clear that the Memo handover was never meant to turn into a public rally which may attract further unwanted and even unwarranted consequences.

Due to these two reasons and others (of which i cannot yet reveal), the memo handover will be postponed till further notice. However this does not mean that this is the end of the issue. Joachim and I will be meeting with a member of the CLA in Kuala Lumpur on Monday (17th) to discuss in further strategies to pressure the authorities to take complaints made by the Catholic communities more seriously as opposed to the current attitude of blatantly ignoring its concerns pertaining to the violations of its freedom to worship without being interupted or intruded upon by folks armed with false information.

We will certainly keep you posted of any further developments. If you have any questions, please call me at the number below. Till then, do your part in creating awareness by emailing and talking to your friends about this issues. Better still, write to the main stream and alternative press (inlcuding Herald). All this is better than doing nothing.

Regards and God Bless,

K.Sudhagaran Stanley
ANAK BANGSA MALAYSIA
016-4455678
stanley_sudha@yahoo.com

COME JOIN IN TO HAND OVER A PROTEST MEMORANDUM

The Catholic Lawyers Association together with K.Sudhagaran Stanley and Joachim Xavier will be handing over a protest Memorandum to the Home Minister. Till today, no action has been taken even thou a Police report has been lodge by Stanley and Joachim againts Al-Islam. The Catholic Community cannot just sit back and watch this kind of action happening in Malaysia. We need to voice out our concern to the government and not allow this men to escape just like that. The act is an insult to Christ and all the Christians in the World. Let us all come together as 1 body to hand over the memorandum! All are invited! Please pass the news around!

Sudhagaran invited you to “Hand Over a protest Memorandum to the Home Minister on the Al-Islam Issue!” on Monday, August 17 at 2:30pm.

Event: Hand Over a protest Memorandum to the Home Minister on the Al-Islam Issue
What: Protest
Host: Catholic Lawyers Association- K. Sudhagaran Stanley- Joachim Xavier
Start Time: Monday, August 17 at 2:30pm
End Time: Monday, August 17 at 4:00pm
Where: MEET AT PUTRAJAYA HOME MINISTER`s OFFICE

Letter!!

Dear Editor,

For too long, the sensitivities of Catholics have been brushed aside by misinformed muslims acting on the excuse of ferreting out "murtad" cases. In 2007, the Holy Mass at Our Lady of Lourdes in Silibin was disrupted when a group of muslims received a controversial sms that we were "converting" muslims en masse. This was proved to be unequivocally false. The ceremony which was disrupted was one for first Holy Communicants, young children who are receiving the sacred host, something which the Catholics hold as sacred & sacrosanct. At that time, the muslims stayed outside & staged a protest, and caused a great deal of fear, tension, and anxiety amongst the Catholics. In 2009, Muslim journalists have come into our Church, unannounced & disguised as Catholics. This time, they participate in the Holy Eucharist & even receive Holy Communion, which is reserved for Catholics alone, and have the audacity of spitting out and then photographing the expelled communion for all & sundry to see. And they even publish it in their magazine. What was their reason for acting in this manner? Again, to ferret out "murtad" cases. Can we not see a progression in this? They have now entered our churches and participated in our ceremonies. The sensitivities of Catholics have been completely ignored. Indeed, the latest episode is but a blatant act of contempt towards our religion. What does this white communion wafer mean to us? Joachim Francis Xavier and Sudhagaran Stanley, the two people who have lodged a police report on this matter, subsequently had this to say: "The 'communion' is held with great reverence and cannot in any way be mishandled or [treated] with a lack of respect. Even Catholics are not allowed to take home the 'communion' but are instructed to consume it immediately during the service. Catholics go through an elaborate proceDear Editor, For too long, the sensitivities of Catholics have been brushed aside by misinformed muslims acting on the excuse of ferreting out "murtad" cases. In 2007, the Holy Mass at Our Lady of Lourdes in Silibin was disrupted when a group of muslims received a controversial sms that we were "converting" muslims en masse. This was proved to be unequivocally false. The ceremony which was disrupted was one for first Holy Communicants, young children who are receiving the sacred host, something which the Catholics hold as sacred & sacrosanct. At that time, the muslims stayed outside & staged a protest, and caused a great deal of fear, tension, and anxiety amongst the Catholics. In 2009, Muslim journalists have come into our Church, unannounced & disguised as Catholics. This time, they participate in the Holy Eucharist & even receive Holy Communion, which is reserved for Catholics alone, and have the audacity of spitting out and then photographing the expelled communion for all & sundry to see. And they even publish it in their magazine. What was their reason for acting in this manner? Again, to ferret out "murtad" cases. Can we not see a progression in this? They have now entered our churches and participated in our ceremonies. The sensitivities of Catholics have been completely ignored. Indeed, the latest episode is but a blatant act of contempt towards our religion. What does this white communion wafer mean to us? Joachim Francis Xavier and Sudhagaran Stanley, the two people who have lodged a police report on this matter, subsequently had this to say: "The 'communion' is held with great reverence and cannot in any way be mishandled or [treated] with a lack of respect. Even Catholics are not allowed to take home the 'communion' but are instructed to consume it immediately during the service. Catholics go through an elaborate process of preparing themselves to receive this 'communion' worthily and those who have not done so are advised to refrain from receiving it," Xavier and Stanley in a press statement said they were "outraged that these Muslim men consumed it [the communion] only to spit it out later, have it photographed, and have its image published".The two Catholics said it was "total disrespect" for what Catholics regard as sacred. This time it has gone beyond total disrespect. S 298A of the Penal Code makes it a criminal offence to cause disharmony, or feelings of enmity, hatred or ill-will, or prejudicing, etc. the maintenance of harmony or unity on grounds of religion. The fact that the journalists of Al Islam believed that they were ferreting out cases of conversions/apostasy/murtad do not afford them a defence. S. 298A (7) provides that it shall NOT be a defence to any charge under this section to assert that what the offender is charged with doing was done in any honest belief in, or in any honest interpretation of, any precept, tenet or teaching of any religion. Such conduct & behaviour is intolerable, inexcusable, unjustifiable, outrageous, and above all, criminal. In such circumstances, Justice has to be allowed to take its course, and due process of the law must take place. I want these journalists to know & understand that there are consequences to their actions. I want these people who think they are at liberty to desecrate our rituals, our sacred liturgy, and our most Holy Eucharist on the pretext of ferreting out "murtad cases" to understand that such misguided & unfounded belief does not afford them a defence. Such belief does not give them the license to commit what Catholics regard as sacrilege, to desecrate what we hold as holy, sacred, reverent and sacrosanct.Over and above the journalists, I question the judgment of the editor of Al Islam who had allowed this article to be published, completely brushing aside the sensitivities of Catholics. I call on the Minister to exercise his powers under Section 7(1) of the Printing Presses and Publications Act, 1984 to prohibit the publication of Al Islam as being likely to be contrary to any law, i.e. S. 298A Penal Code, or is otherwise prejudicial to or is likely to be prejudicial to public interest or national interest. The same must also be said for the printer of the magazine who may have committed an offence under S. 4(1)(b) of the same Act by printing a document which is likely to promote feelings of ill-will, hostility, enmity, hatred, disharmony and disunity.

Jude Gregory Chan Weng Keong

Press Statement By Christian Federation!!

CHRISTIAN FEDERATION OF MALAYSIA
(PERSEKUTUAN KRISTIAN MALAYSIA )
Address: 10, Jalan 11/9, Section 11, 46200 Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan , Malaysia
Telephone: (03) 7957 1278, (03) 7957 146, Fax: (03) 7957 1457
Email: cfmsia@yahoo.co.uk

PRESS STATEMENT

GOING ABOUT THINGS THE WRONG WAY

The Christian Federation of Malaysia deeply regrets the surreptitious manner in which information was gathered for, and the publication by the magazine Al Islam of, the article entitled “Tinjauan Al Islam Dalam Gereja: Mencari Kesahihan Remaja Murtad” in its May 2009 edition where the “investigators” took it upon themselves to be “undercover spies and policemen”.

Firstly it is not proper or acceptable for adherents of one religion to spy on worshippers of another. Matters of faith and belief are personal, and it should not be the case that citizens of Malaysia should be made to live in fear of professing and practising the religion of their own free choice in public. Regrettably the interpretation/existence of certain laws, customs, practices and teachings in Malaysia has bred a type of religious imperialism, intolerance, intemperance and illegality which is unhealthy and unhelpful in the development of a truly multi-racial, multi-cultural and multi-religious society where everyone is able to profess and practice their own faith free from the interference of the authorities, whether civil or religious.

Secondly, no right-thinking publication and editor should have stooped so low so as to condone, let alone permit, this so-called investigative piece of journalism (if the article can even be called that) to be published. The authors of this article clearly failed in their stated aim as described in their chosen title – to seek the truth about Muslim youths who had converted to Christianity. It should have ended there. That it went further, and led to the actual publication of the article and the proud disclosure of acts which can only be described as religious desecration (by the illicit and wrongful participation in the rite of Holy Communion of Christians without understanding its meaning and consequences), only goes to reveal the moral, ethical and journalistic bankruptcy of the editors of this publication. The sacrilegious behaviour of the authors simply breached all standards of common decency. All God-fearing and peace-loving Malaysians, regardless of their faith traditions, should rightly distance themselves from such conduct.

Thirdly, Christianity has nothing to hide. If people indeed seek the truth, if they are curious about what Christianity is all about, what Christians do, what Christians believe, they need only ask. If they sincerely wish to learn, we welcome them with open and loving arms, as we do people of all faiths, or of none, into our churches and seminaries to learn more about Christianity. There is no need to snoop or to spy. Doing so is merely going about things the wrong way.

Finally, we trust that the authorities will do the right thing and take the necessary action to correct the wrong that has been done.



(signed)
The Rt. Revd. Ng Moon Hing
Chairman, Executive Committee
Christian Federation of Malaysia
17th July 2009

Letter

Do the Christian thing, forgive the journalists
Paul Warren Jul 17, 09 7:11pm
It was reported in an English daily that the two journalists charged with 'causing disharmony' may face two to five years in jail.If a different party had committed such an act to a different community, without question they would have been arrested under the ISA and yet we see a different reaction to this situation.Most of those arrested under the ISA don’t how they are threat to national security. But in the case of the Al-Islam reporters, their actions were clearly capable of causing racial or religious disharmony. The charge does not reflect the seriousness of the offence.To try to understand the authorities action thus far, you have to look at how each offended community is expected to behave upon such violation upon them.The Catholic and Christian attitude at best is a forgiving one. This has already been said by one of the bishops. Of course, they make known the violation that has happened. Even those who had made the police report, beyond that, wait for their religious elders to guide them towards closure. And most of us achieve closure by forgiving these two ignorant journos. We may make a police report, hold a prayer of protest and or an outdoor candle light vigil to let known to the indignant and indifferent that this is unacceptable behaviour. Now, the response by the Catholic and Christian community in no way undermines national security. I cannot see the use of the ISA in this instance. Honestly, I think the Catholics and Christian community have already by their response thus far shown their disapproval and we can leave the rest to the divine.Now, how would a violation of an equal magnitude visited upon a mosque or any Islamic rituals or practice be responded to? I don't even want to contemplate how it might turn out. But within the context of the laws in place, it could trigger a response that could easily threaten national security within the definitions provided for under the Internal Security Act. Not that I support the ISA, but as for the various tools available to the authorities to bring calm and peace, the ISA might just be appropriate. As to how the authorities will deal with this matter, there are several factors that will come to play.
The police report itself which is an expression of disapproval over a violation of self and which might be covered by some criminal act or other.
The attitude of the authorities of their responsibility to non-Muslims especially when the authority responsible for the outcome is insensitive towards the feelings of the non-Muslims.
The weight given to the justification of the actions of these two journos, if this justification can be found within their own religious calling. An attempt has been made by a blogger, Mahaguru58, where he quotes one religious leader and he quotes the Quran.If you are inclined towards religious justification, then really these two journos have done no wrong. The only thing that matter is if their actions have violated any Islamic edicts or fatwas. Since in the Catholic Eucharist it is only the bread that is consumed, and it is neither dipped in wine nor is wine served, their only concern for theses two journos was if they might have consumed the wine. And now that we know that wine was not consumed, and that they may have not, in their religious calling violated anything. They actually are heros. Now, put in that position, how then are the police going to act? There is no real harm done. The Christians have had their opportunity to put on display their very charitable forgiving attitude. I say that having made known that what was done was unacceptable, the Christian thing to do would be to withdraw. There is no need to contribute towards retribution or punishing these two journos. That is for the law to take its course.Maybe if it comes to trial, and if I was to stand as the prosecuting witness, the only thing I would do is to explain what the Eucharist means to me and the Christian community.Then I would to look at these two journos in their eyes and tell them, it is not necessary for them to ask for forgiveness as it may just be beyond them to understand, but to tell them that we forgive them nevertheless.

Letter

By Gregory Chan

I refer to the post by Martin Jalleh posted below. I think I have been at pains to point out that a criminal offence has occurred. Once investigation has commenced, I am calling for it to be conducted as an impartial, fair & just trial. Martin has called for us to "forgive" the offenders. That goes without saying. But forgiveness only comes in at the last stage of the criminal procedure, at the sentencing stage, not at the investigation stage. Let us be absolutely clear about this.The Roman Catholic Church will be asked for our views when the offender is sentenced & we can most certainly be forgiving then. But I want the offenders to be answerable in court for what they have done. For too long, people such as the offenders have committed outrage after outrage on the pretext of acting in religious fervour in ferreting out "murtad" cases. Remember how the Holy Mass for 1st Holy Communicants at Our Lady of Lourdes in Silibin was disrupted when a group of muslims received a controversial sms that we were "converting" muslims en masse. False! Now, again, these offenders come into our Church, unannounced & uninvited, and on the same pretext : ferreting out "murtad" cases, as though this were license for them to commit sacrilege. This time, they participate in the Holy Eucharist & even receive Holy Communion, which is reserved for Catholics alone, and have the audacity of spitting out and then photographing the expelled communion for all & sundry to see. And they even publish it in their magazine. Can we not see how these acts of sacrilege are getting increasingly outrageous. The latest is but a blatant act of contempt towards our religion.I want these offenders to know & understand that there are consequences to their actions. I want these people who think they are at liberty to desecrate our rituals, our sacred liturgy, and our most Holy Eucharist on the pretext of ferreting out "murtad cases" to understand that such misguided & unfounded belief does not afford them a defence. I want to be absolutely clear on this. I want them tried. I want them to answer in court for what they have done. I want to see a conviction entered. When they are sentenced, then I shall be merciful. Then I shall show them compassion & forgiveness. I want to see investigations conducted in an impartial & unbiased way. I do not want it to be swept under the carpet. I want the offenders to face a fair & unbiased trial. Meanwhile, let the wheels of justice turn. I am sure, by then, we shall be merciful & forgiving. Just ask us....

Parish Priest responds!!!

Source: http://www.thenutgraph.com/

Reverend Jestus Pereira of St Anthony's Church in Pudu, Kuala Lumpur, has called on the police to investigate the magazine and act according to the law.
Although Al Islam did not name the churches visited by its reporter, Rev Pereira said the descriptions in the article appeared to refer to his parish.
He said congregants at the Bahasa Malaysia service described in the article numbered around 800 people who were mainly from Sabah and Sarawak.
Police have so far interviewed another priest in the parish and an office staff member, he told The Nut Graph.
"I hope this is not a public relations exercise, trying to show the public they are doing something about it. The police and other authorities must investigate and take action. If there is some criminal element, they must be ready to do the right thing and charge the person or persons concerned.
"Islam being the religion of the federation does not place Muslims above the law," he said.
"The government must be prepared to use just laws fairly and equally against all peoples, without preferring one religion over another. If disharmony is being caused they must have the courage to address it, even against persons of the dominant religion. The government must have the political will to do so."
Rev Pereira added that the church receives many visitors but does not ask people for identification. "We do not stop anyone from entering. I do not know if anyone from Al Islam came in for our religious service. No one identified himself or herself either before or after the service," he said

Al-Islam is un-Islamic says Khairy!!

Source: http://www.thenutgraph.com/

PETALING JAYA, 16 July 2009: Appalling, offensive, unethical, and un-Islamic. These words used to describe Al Islam magazine's undercover story of attending Catholic mass and insulting the holy communion have come not from Christians, but from Umno Youth leader Khairy Jamaluddin.
Khairy, the Rembau Member of Parliament, is the first Barisan Nasional leader to condemn the magazine article and the journalist who consumed and then removed the holy communion from his mouth to photograph it.
The article, Tinjauan Al Islam Dalam Gereja: Kesahihan Remaja Murtad in the magazine's May 2009 issue, caused an uproar among Catholics and is now a police case, but has received scarce coverage in the newspapers.
Writing in his blog today, Khairy condemned the article as "unethical journalism, grounded in both disrespect and ignorance".
"Everyone involved in the researching, writing and publishing [of] this article should have considered the fact that Muslims already find it offensive when non-Muslims do not observe basic courtesies expected when in a mosque, like taking off shoes and covering heads.
"They should further imagine their own reactions if someone went undercover in their local mosques, pretend to worship as a Muslim and made a mockery of congregation prayer," Khairy wrote.
He also wrote about empathy, and said that the "heart of the problems" Malaysia faced as a plural society was that people did not think about the perspectives of other communities before acting.
He said the Al Islam journalist and the magazine's editorial team had not shown the Islamic values of "empathy, respect and tolerance".
Khairy also noted that non-Catholics were allowed to sit and observe mass, and as such, there was no need for the reporter to go undercover.
"This 'blunder'," he said, "speaks volumes of the journalist's ignorance and the prejudices held even before he set out on his little mission."
He also criticised the magazine for being sensationalist by publishing the story when there was "no story to sell", since the journalist did not find evidence of Muslim apostates in the church.

An Open Letter to a Muslim Journalist "Spy"

By Martin Jalleh

Saudara,
I just read that recently you and a friend visited one of the churches that I belong to. I was surprised that you had to do it in disguise. You should have told the Catholic community there that you were coming and we would have given you a grand welcome.
Such was the experience of the MP for Shah Alam, Khalid Abdul Samad from Pas, who was even given a standing ovation when he visited and had a dialogue with the parishioners of the Church of the Divine Mercy in Shah Alam last year.
Some time back I was attending a Mass (Catholic worship) in a Catholic church in Petaling Jaya and was very moved by the presence of a group of Muslim students together with their Muslim professor who had taken them there as part of their “exposure programme”. None of them were converted.
You see we are not an underground church nor do we function in a clandestine manner. Our hearts are on the holy and not on the hideous. We even pray for Najib the PM, though I feel we do not pray enough for the Opposition. We also pray for people like you who do more harm than good to the name of your religion of peace, tolerance and compassion.
Further, what takes place in Catholic churches is highlighted in our in-house newspaper which was quite unknown to the whole population and whose readers formed an insignificant number – until the Government decided to prevent it from using the word “Allah”. Alas, the Herald should thank the Government for making it so well-known today.
Religious Misfits
It is a pity that you have gone through so much trouble to “investigate” under guise what is going on in Catholic Churches or that “Muslim teenagers were being converted to Christianity in Kuala Lumpur 's churches every Sunday”. You should have gone directly to the Special Branch, which sends it officers to visit our churches occasionally. Surely they will be able to tell you that you would be only wasting your time!
As for the information that Muslims are being driven in droves into Catholicism (which you have concluded to be “false” in your article) it has been a fallacious and stale rumour for quite some time, spread by those who have an obsession and paranoia or by the increasing number of lower echelon zealots or “Little Mullah Napoleons” running riot with their brand of religion.
In Feb. 2006, the Mufti of Perak, Haji Harussani Haji Zakaria, claimed that 250,000 Muslims (of which 100,000 were Malays) had apostatized themselves, while 100,000 more had submitted applications to do so. Of course he was unable to substantiate his claim because it was false.
In Nov. 2006, about 500 Muslims protested in front of the Catholic Church of Our Lady of Lourdes in Ipoh following a SMS wherein the same Mufti had disclosed that about 600 Muslim students of the Ungku Omar Polytechnic were to be baptized by national mariner Azhar Mansor!
The church was not converting Muslims but instead was holding the First Holy Communion Mass (one of the rites of initiation to the faith) for 98 Catholic children, many of whom were traumatised by the sight of a threatening mob. Imagine the very unfortunate impression the young Catholics would have got of Islam and of Muslims.
The mufti who had proven to be more of a misfit, was not man enough to own up. He blamed it on an SMS sent out by a woman! Why no action was taken against the mufti, and why the authorities remained mute (on both occasions) over his “mischief” remains but a mystery. You must have been motivated by the mufti.
If indeed the Catholic Church has the conversion of Muslims as its hidden agenda, it would surely have started converting hundreds or even thousands of impressionable young Muslims through its Catholic Mission schools which have existed for as long as 100 years, But no such thing has ever happened.
The Muslim classmates and friends that I had in St Michael’s Ipoh are still good and respected Muslims today, and such was their appreciation and respect for the La Salle Brothers that they made sure that their children in turn would attend a La Salle school or a Convent!
Sacrilegious
Sadly, your disrespect knew no bounds. You chose to abandon all human and religious decency with impunity as a journalist and a Muslim. Under pretense of being a Catholic you participated in the church service and even partook of the Holy Communion (a white and sacred wafer) strictly meant only for Catholics.
You consumed the white wafer which Catholics hold as very sacred and treat with utmost reverence, and both of you spat out the remnants, photographed it and published the picture in an article entitled "Tinjaun Al Islam Dalam Gereja:Mencari Kesahihan Remaja Murtad" which was published in the May 2009 issue of the Al Islam magazine.
.
I shudder to think of what could happen if the reverse took place -- if for instance two reporters from the Herald were to enter a mosque disguised as Muslims, partake of the rituals and desecrate something which the congregation considers very sacred.
I can imagine Khairy Jamaluddin leading a group of Umno Youth thugs and burning the effigy of the Catholic Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur and even threatening to set fire to a few churches, and Zulkifli Nordin rousing up a mob and invading the Herald’s office and demanding that it be shut down for good; or certain Muslim NGOs insisting that the two journalists be jailed under the ISA!
It makes me wonder how does a “creature” like you exist in this country? Are you the product of the educational, social or even religious system or process created by Bolehland’s leaders (also read as “Umno”) over the past 30 years?
How is it possible that you could blatantly trespass into a place of worship, violate its sanctity, insult its adherents, even publish your transgression and completely ignore the implications and consequences (will there be any)? What gives you such audacity?
It all points to the reality of you being a cog in Umno’s machine – a political party that has politicised religion for its survival by creating unfounded insecurities amongst Muslims and a distrust of other religions. Meanwhile it dominates, dictates, decides and even defines what non-Muslims can and cannot discuss, deliberate on, and display in print.
Najib’s 1Malaysia is really Malaysia in one big mess!
As I join my Catholic brothers and sisters in forgiving you (a Catholic duty we are reminded of!), I also pray that you will feel the full weight of God’s wrath upon you.
I feel sad for the many good Muslims in this country who have a respect for peoples of other faiths, for not only have you insulted Catholics but you have insulted them too. Islam would do well without religious misfits like you!
Martin Jalleh
(15 July 2009)

Thundering Silence of the So-called Christian leaders of BN in Sabah!!

Article taken from http://www.advocateviews.blogspot.com/

By Ronnie klassen

It's kind of puzzling that Christian leaders in the country like Tan Sri Bernard Dompok ,Datuk Seri Panglima Joseph Pairin Kitingan ,Tan Sri Joseph Kurup ,Datuk VK Liew ,Datuk Maximus Ongkili ,Tan Sri Leo Moggie, Datuk George Chan, Datuk James Masing, and others in Barisan Nasional have been silent over the controversial article "Tinjauan Al-Islam dalam Gereja:Mencari Kesahihan Remaja Melayu Murtad" that appeared in the Al-Islam magazine published by Utusan Karya Sdn.Bhd.
Is the thundering silence because of their fear of loosing their coveted positions, perks and privileges or, have they quietly converted to other religion? And come to think of it, what about the Christian opposition leaders in Sabah? Why are they silent as well?
In a post that appeared in the NutGraph blog on the 10th.July.2009,it was reported that a Muslim journalist accompanied by another person went to two Catholic Churches in Kuala Lumpur on an investigative mission to find out if allegations that young Muslims were being converted to Christianity were true.The journalist,whose by-line in the article was,Muhd Ridhwan Abdul Jalil,describe the holy communion ritual as "upacara makan roti putih"and wrote about how he was given the wafer by the priest.The article also carried a photograph of the wafer(which he spite out, with a caption that identified it as the wafer that was place in his mouth.This is "total disrespect"as Christians regard "holy communion"as a sacred matter,held with great reverence and cannot in any way be mishandled or (treated) with a lack of respect.The Muslim journalist and his friend had "violated our sense of privacy" and had the cheek to say that there were many Malay-looking people in Church,who coincidentally were Sabahans.The Catholic parishioners in Penang did the right thing when they lodged a police report on the matter. Lets hope the police would carry out a thorough investigation, without fear and favour, and make public the outcome of their investigation on what was the real motive behind the controversial report.It is learnt that police have classified the case under Section 298A (1) of the Penal Code for causing disharmony, disunity or feelings of enmity, hatred or ill will, or prejudicing the maintenance of harmony or unity, on grounds of religion.If convicted, the duo, both non-Christians who worked for Al-Islam which published the article in its May edition, could be jailed between two and five years.Investigations commenced after a police report was lodged against the two men.Federal Criminal Investigations Department director Commissioner Datuk Seri Mohd Bakri Zinin said police have so far recorded statements from at least four people, including church authorities, in connection with the article.Police are expected to haul up the reporters soon.I call upon Prime Minister Dato'Sri Najib Tun Razak and Minister of Home Affairs Dato'Sri Hishamudin to intervene for a speedy investigation.In order to ensure transparency of the investigation,I urge the opposition shadow commitee MP's to assist in the investigation in the name of democracy and religious fairness.

CHOICE KL organizes Prayer!!

CHOICE, a catholic youth movement had held a prayer session at the ASAYO office in Kuala Lumpur on the 11th of July 09. The session was held to pray for forgiveness for those who wish to incite hate and resentment among Malaysians. The session was to pray for peace and understanding among the many different beliefs in Malaysia. Prayers was also held for the two journalist said Lincoln Lee, The coordinator of CHOICE ENG Kl.

"Al Islam" a Shocking News!!

Video was created by Chan Lilian a blogger (Citizen Journalist) and a parishioner of the Cathedral of The Holy Spirit Penang. Lilian has been covering the issue widely. It is posted in MalaysiaKini and YouTube. www.chanlilian.net

Section 298(a) rulled!!

Ins. Irwan of the Penang Police HQ informed me yesterday that they are running investigation under section 298(a) of the penal code which pertains to the uterance of words or action with deliberate intent to wound religious feelings. If found guilty, the writter could be jailed between two and five years. He said the police are seriouly looking in to this case and that action will be taken once investigation is completed.

Police has not yet call in Al-Islam for Questioning!

I called Ins Tewaris of IPD Dang Wangi this afternoon and asked him on the status of the case. He said they had finished visiting the suspected church and are now finalising the investigation reports. What worries me is that, they have not called in the journalist or Al-Islam for questioning yet. Its been 7 Days since i made the report and till today no arrest has been made. Anyway after questioning Tewaris, he said that they are now waiting from instructions above to make the next move. We hope that justice will take its place in the days to come...

Bishop Of Penang Responds to the issue!!

Bishop Rt Rev Antony Selvanayagam of the Catholic Church's Penang diocese said "to take part in a ritual one is not supposed to, and to write about it" was considered "very sacrilegious as far as our religion is concerned".

"The story does not help us work towards living in harmony with one another. However, my advice to Catholics is not to [respond] tit for tat. That is not the way. But we cannot just keep quiet either.

"The legitimate course of action to protest is to make police reports, and I hope the Home Ministry will act as police reports have already been made," the bishop said in a phone interview today.

Rt Rev Antony Selvanayagam confirmed that the police report lodged against Al Islam last week was done by two members of his diocese.

Catholics Throwing in Support

I am very touched by many concerned catholics whom have been calling both of us the last few days. Many questions had been put to us. and many are providing their assistance, prayers and support. We thank every individual for their care and urge many more catholics to take the step forward and do something in your own capacity. For any assistance kindly call me at 016-4455678 or 016 4455673 or joachim at 016- 4100264 or email me at stanley_sudha@yahoo.com

Reports Lodged at Biro Pengaduan Awam (Jabatan Perdana Menteri)

I have lodged a report at the Biro Pengaduan Awam. Nicholas a concerned catholic from KL to has lodged the report. We will now see how is the Goverment going to react on this matter!! You to could lodge a report at their website by visiting www.bpa.jpm.my

Al-Islam a UTUSAN company

I was investigating the company and found out that it is linked to UTUSAN KARYA SDN.BHD. The Executive Director of Al-Islam is Tan Sri Mohamed Hashim Ahmad Makaruddin. I am wondering now if ever justice will take place? as we all know UTUSAN is linked to who!!

Catholic Lawyers Association is investigating the Issue

The Catholic lawyers Association had contacted both me and Joachim inquiring about the matter. We were told that they had a meeting with Arch Bishop Rev. Tan Sri Murphy Nicholas Xavier Pakiam in Kuala Lumpur and are now investigating the matter.

Police Looking for us!!

We have been informed by our contacts in St.Anthony Church that there were police men whom were looking for us at the Church.. I dont understand how the police are working on this issue. Both our contacts are clearly stated in the Police reports and press statement. But till today, no police has called us to record our statement in Kuala Lumpur as the case has been refered there.. Why are the police working so slow on this issue ?

Police Report Lodged

Dear All,

Please read below and and see if you can find it in your heart to do someting. Here are some suggestions:

Pray (but don't just stop there...)
Make a police report in your individual capacity as a concerned Catholic.
Write to the press
Express your disatisfaction to the publisher by calling (03 -89262999), faxing (03-89243918), emailing (alislamuksb@hotmail.com) them. You can also sms. Type ALISLAMyour messageyour name and send to 33995 or 019 3051587
It is important that as Catholics that we don't just sit back and allow folks to desecrate the sanctity of our worship. We must respond even if it only means that you forward this email to someone. Above all, mark all your actions with patience and not with anger, love and not hate.

regards,

Joachim Francis Xavier & Sudhagaran Stanley
016 4100264 / 016 4455678

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PRESS RELEASE

8th July 2009

Muslim Men Spying in Catholic Churches


We are deeply concerned that two Muslim men acting on false information that the Catholic Church was converting Muslims into Christians had recently entered a Catholic Church service for the purpose of gathering information as to whether this was occurring. They were also investigating whether the word 'Allah' was being used in church services. These men participated in the church service and even took part in the rituals that are strictly for Catholics and in doing so violated the sanctity of what Catholics hold very sacred. These men later wrote about their experience in an article entitled "Tinjaun Al Islam Dalam Gereja:Mencari Kesahihan Remaja Murtad" which was published in the May 2009 issue or the Al Islam magazine.

The men had consumed the 'communion' which is a white wafer which is blessed by the Priest in a Catholic ritual that dates back 2000 years. Via this ritual the 'white wafer' is supernaturally transformed into what Catholics believe to be Jesus Christ and when consumed allows Catholics to experience life after death. The 'communion' is held with great reverence and cannot in any way be mishandled or with a lack of respect. Even Catholics are not allowed to take home the 'communion' but are instructed to consume it immediately during the service. Catholics go through an elaborate process of preparing themselves to receive this 'communion' worthily and those who have not done so are advised to refrain from receiving it.

As such we are outraged that these Muslim men consumed it only to spit it out later, have it photographed and have its image published in the Al-Islam magazine. The total disrespect shown to what Catholics hold in closest to their hearts and believe to be most Holy strikes deep into our hearts and invokes much anger. While we are resolved not to allow anger to guide our actions and instead pray that these ignorant will be forgiven by the Allah, we want to know what has become of this most holy 'communion' and demand its immediate return to the church authorities.

We are further outraged that these Muslim men have violated our sense of privacy to freely worship. Would these men tolerate non-Muslims entering the mosque and violating the sanctity and holiness of their worship? We believe that all places of worship and the form of worship practiced in these places must be respected with the greatest sensitivity and reverence be they the church, mosque, temple or gurdwaras. Entering these premises with the intention to spy and worse to violate the sanctity of the worship only serves to incite anger and hatred that could lead to potentially dangerous consequences that would tear this country apart.

As such, as concerned Catholics, we have made a police report at the Patani Road Police station on 8th July 2009 and thereafter held a press conference at the same place. We requested that the police investigate this matter with great urgency and bring to books those responsible for acting to incite hate and resentment among the Catholic Community. We also call on the police to investigate both the Al-Islam magazine and the writers of the article.


Joachim Francis Xavier & Sudhagaran Stanley

COPY OF POLICE REPORT MADE AT THE PETANI ROAD POLICE STATION

The Holy Sacrament Humilated!!

The Holy Sacrament Humiliated!!

I am referring to the article by the Al-Islam Magazine in the May edition titled “Mencari Kesahihan Remaja Melayu Murtad” on page 28. This was an article by Mohd Ridhwan Abdul Jalil. The article explains on a mission of the writer to investigate on claims that the church has been converting Muslims to Christianity in large numbers by providing them money and paying for their higher education. The informer even stated that the one whom succeeds to convert a Muslim will be rewarded a large sum of money. What hurts my heart the most was when I saw a picture of the consecrated host “The Body of Christ” in the magazine. The writer had consumed the host from the priest during mass, spit it out and took a photograph of the Holy Host for publication purpose in the magazine. It is such as humiliation and disrespect to Christians whom belief that the Host is the Body of Christ himself. The writer of the magazine had gone in to a particular church, acted like a Christian and took part in the Holy Eucharist fully. In the magazine, the liturgy of the Eucharist was stated as “Upacara makan roti putih”. This racist magazine also touched on the issue of the word Allah being used by Christians and criticize the church badly. A police report will be lodge today in Penang against the publisher for humiliating the body of Christ and disrespect to the Christian. A nationwide campaign will also be launched demanding for a public apology and for the Holy Host to be returned to the Church. Meanwhile for those of you whom would like to respond to this matter, you could lodge individual police reports against the publisher and write letters to the publisher or call them, condemning their evil act. The Publisher is as below:-

Tan sri Mohamed Hashim Ahmad Makaruddin
Executive Director
Utusan Karya Sdn.Bhd
Pengarang Majalah Al Islam
Kompleks Sri Utusan, Lot 6,
Jalan P/10, Kawasan Perusahaan Bangi,
Seksyen 10,
Bandar Baru Bangi, 43650 Bangi Selangor.
Tel:- 03- 89262999, 89268778, 89268393, 89243888

Email: alislamuksb@hotmail.com