1. Malaysian Insider (http://www.themalaysianinsider.com)
(1) MCA charges back at Ibrahim Ali over bible-burning threat, 21 January 2013
by Clara Chooi, Assistant News Editor
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 21 ― MCA today demanded Datuk Ibrahim Ali apologise and retract his call for Muslims to burn Malay-language bibles containing the word “Allah”, entering into yet another racially-charged verbal battle with the Perkasa chief.
MCA presidential council member Loh Seng Kok called Ibrahim’s attitude “disappointing” and “unbecoming of an MP”, taking a dig at the Pasir Mas parliamentarian who touts himself as being multiracial.
“Ibrahim Ali must apologise for his seditious statement of burning Bibles with ‘Allah’,” Loh said.
“While playing up racial rhetoric is considered a norm for someone such as Ibrahim Ali and such immature attitude is naturally expected from him, he has pushed things way too far now,” he added.
Ibrahim, who founded and leads Malay rights group Perkasa, ruffled feathers in the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) over the weekend when he urged Malays to torch all Malay language bibles that use the word “Allah” and other religious Arabic words.
After Ibrahim’s remarks, MIC leader S. Vell Paari urged the government to punish the right wing Perkasa president or face the possibility of BN bleeding non-Muslim votes.
During its national congress last month, Perkasa had led its members in an oath to stand united and support all BN candidates regardless of party.
But MCA distanced itself from the group today, insisting that Perkasa’s stand did not reflect BN’s approach to such sensitive issues.
“His (Ibrahim) senseless call is a dangerous one, both inflammatory and seditious in its meanings. Not only has he disrespected the Christian faith and sacred texts, but his call to burn bibles is tantamount to vandalism,” Loh said.
“He should be aware that he represents the rakyat of Malaysia, regardless of race or creed or religious beliefs, and as such, he should immediately withdraw his latest disrespectful and provocative rant.”
Earlier today, Perkasa threatened to pull its support for MIC and MCA in its response to Vell Paari’s remarks on Ibrahim’s stand on the “Allah” issue.
In a statement here, the controversial group explained that Ibrahim’s statement on the matter had been misinterpreted as he had merely been referring to Malay language bibles.
“I confirm that the Perkasa president did mention the words ‘burn the Bible’ but he did not mean the original English language books.
“He meant the Malay language bibles that use ‘Allah’ and Jawi writing,” Perkasa secretary-general Syed Hassan Syed Ali said in the statement.
The “Allah” dispute, which first erupted after the watershed Election 2008, remains a hot-button topic in the run-up to this year’s polls.
Debate resurfaced last month after Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng called on Putrajaya in his Christmas message to lift a ban on Malay-language bibles in Borneo Malaysia.
Hot on the heels of the DAP leader’s remarks, several state Rulers and Islamic religious authorities reminded non-Muslims of state laws banning use of the word, despite conflicting with a 2009 High Court judgment that ruled “Allah” was not exclusive to Islam.
(2) A-G told to act on Ibrahim Ali’s Bible-burning remark, 22 January 2013
by Leannza Chia
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 22 — DAP chairman Karpal Singh today filed a police report in a bid to press Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail to initiate police investigations against Perkasa chief Datuk Ibrahim Ali over his Bible-burning statement.
Karpal said he wanted the police to investigate the Perkasa chief’s call for Muslims to “seize and burn copies of bibles which contained the word ‘Allah’ or other Arabic words”.
“The A-G’s statement (saying that he will not act against Ibrahim Ali) demonstrates weakness on his part and suggests the A-G encourages acts of this nature,” said Puchong MP and DAP lawmaker Gobind Singh Deo, who was present at the Tun HS Lee police station here with his father Karpal (picture).
“He (Abdul Gani) should be taking steps so that the Bible will not be burned. The A-G is coming out very weak in response to this problem, and this could confirm that he clearly has double standards in his decision-making,” Gobind said.
Karpal lodged the police report at 1pm at the Tun HS Lee police station opposite Stadium Merdeka here.
Karpal’s report today was made in response to the A-G’s reported comment that his chambers would only act against Ibrahim if bibles were actually burnt, and that he was not concerned by the remarks.
The DAP chairman said in his complaint to the police today that he planned to go to court to compel Abdul Gani to take action and “carry out his public duty” if the A-G refuses to take action against the Perkasa president within two weeks.
“This is his responsibility,” said Gobind, who stated earlier that “if the A-G does not take action, we will take action against him”.
In a statement made by Perkasa yesterday, the controversial group explained that Ibrahim’s statement on the matter had been misinterpreted as he had merely been referring to Malay-language bibles.
“I confirm that the Perkasa president did mention the words ‘burn the Bible’ but he did not mean the original English-language books.
“He meant the Malay-language bibles that use ‘Allah’ and Jawi writing,” Perkasa secretary-general Syed Hassan Syed Ali said in the statement.
The “Allah” dispute, which first erupted after the watershed Election 2008, remains a hot-button topic in the run-up to this year’s polls.
Debate resurfaced last month after Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng called on Putrajaya in his Christmas message to lift a ban on Malay-language bibles in Borneo Malaysia.
Hot on the heels of the DAP leader’s remarks, several state Rulers and Islamic religious authorities reminded non-Muslims of state laws banning use of the word, despite conflicting with a 2009 High Court judgment that ruled “Allah” was not exclusive to Islam.
2. Free Malaysia Today (http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com)
‘Malay Bibles with Allah not real Bibles’, 21 January 2013
by Anisah Shukry
Malay rights group, Perkasa, defends its chief’s call for the burning of Malay Bibles with the word ‘Allah’, as they are only meant to confuse Muslims.
KUALA LUMPUR: Perkasa has defended its chief Ibrahim Ali’s call for the burning of Malay Bibles which contained the word “Allah” by insisting they are not “real Bibles”.
“Perkasa feels that a Bible written in Malay is enough of an attempt to confuse Muslims, especially schoolchildren, what more a Bible that uses the word ‘Allah’ and is written in Jawi.
“Thus Perkasa feels that a Bible like this is not a real Bible and is nothing more than an attempt to confuse Muslims into leaving Islam and converting to Christianity ” Perkasa secretary-general Syed Hasan Syed Ali said in a press statement last night.
He said this alleged attempt to convert Muslims to Christianity was the very reason why Perkasa was “extremely firm” in requesting that the government take action against the use of “Allah” in Malay Bibles.
Syed Hasan was commenting on Ibrahim’s call to Muslims to seize and burn copies of Bibles which contained the term “Allah” or other Arabic religious words.
“Muslims must unite to protect their religion. They must seize those Bibles, including the Malay editions, which contain the term Allah and other Arabic religious terms, and burn them,” Ibrahim, the Pasir Mas MP, told reporters on Saturday.
Syed Hasan said that Perkasa’s highest leadership fully supported Ibrahim’s Malay Bible-burning stand, but urged the media to not “twist” his words.
“I confirm that the Perkasa president said ‘burn the Bible’ but he did not mean the real Bible written in English. He meant Bibles in Malay which use the word Allah and are written in Jawi,” claimed Syed Hasan.
He also insisted that rather than urging Muslims to seize and burn the Malay Bibles, Ibrahim had only urged Muslims to burn the Bibles upon receiving them.
“The Perkasa president said during the Jan 19 press conference that whoever received the Bible in Malay with the word Allah and Jawi writing from someone, should just burn it.
“We of the highest leadership of Perkasa completely support our president’s stand. Don’t twist our president’s words,” said Syed Hasan.
‘Allah bibles also contravene constitution’
He also flayed civil liberties lawyer Syahredzan Johan for being “selective” over the issue when commenting on it.
Yesterday, Syahredzan had told FMT that Ibrahim’s “hate speech” may have contravened Sections 298 and 505 of the Penal Code.
Section 298 states that it is an offence to utter words that deliberately wound religious feelings. If found guilty, an offender can be imprisoned for a year, or fined or both.
Section 505 states that it is an offence to make statements that that are conducing public mischief. Those found guilty under this section can be imprisoned for a span of two years, fined or both.
“Thank you to Syahredzan Johan who informed the public through FMT that the highest action can be taken against the Perkasa president for his statement over the Bible burning issue under Sections 298 and 505,” said Syed Hasan.
“[But] why did he not inform the public the section that prohibits spreading religions to Muslims in this country? Why keep quiet when it’s obvious that there are attempts to spread other religions in this country?
“Doesn’t it already mention in the Federal Constitution that we are prohibited from spreading other religion to Muslims in this country? Why is Shahredzan selective over this issue?” said Syed Hasan.
Article 11(4) of the Federal Constitution states that federal law may control or restrict the propagation of any religious doctrine or belief among Muslims.
‘MIC also needs Perkasa’s votes’
Meanwhile, Perkasa lashed out at MIC director of strategy S Vell Paari for urging the government to take criminal action against the group lest Barisan Nasional lose the non-Malay votes.
“What kind of strategy director does MIC have? To Vell Paari, Perkasa would like to remind him that MIC also needs Malay votes,” said Syed Hasan.
He reminded Vell Paari that Perkasa’s membership was 95% Muslim and Malay, and said that every State Legislative Assembly was made up of over 1,000 people.
“Don’t make us amend the oath we uttered during the Perkasa general assembly on Dec 15 in which we swore to support all BN candidates, including MIC and MCA,” warned Syed Hasan.
Yesterday, Vell Paari had said “to see [Ibrahim] making such provocative remarks in the presence of former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad is not going to look good on BN, especially with elections just around the corner”.
But Syed Hasan stressed that Mahathir’s presence was not related to Ibrahim’s statement.
“The Perkasa president’s statement was Perkasa’s statement. It was a coincidence that when the statement was made, Mahathir came to officiate at Perkasa’s convention.
“Do not associate Mahathir with the Perkasa president’s statement,” said Syed Hasan.
He added that if Vell Paari were truly a Malaysian, the latter would slam those who tried to propagate other religions to Muslims.
3. WorldWide Religious News（http://wwrn.org）
Why Germans distrust Islam，21 January 2013
by Ulrike Hummel ("Deutsche Welle," January 21, 2013)
Prejudice and the fear of too many foreigners is especially prevalent in Germany. With the growing number of Muslims, distrust of Islam is rising. Why are Germans afraid of the "foreign"?
The cashier at the supermarket wears a headscarf, copies of the Koran are handed out on the streets, and mosques have become part of some cities' landscapes. Islam appears to be encroaching on life in Germany and that bothers a lot of people.
"For decades, woman fought for equal rights, and we have attained something. And now, women are choosing to wear headscarves. I don't want that and it scares me," a unversity-educated woman from Cologne says.
Her attitude is not uncommon. In the long debate over the new Cologne Central Mosque, which will be one of Europe's largest, fear and distrust of Islam have come to light and are widespread.
Islamism a "real threat"
Christian Democrat (CDU) politician Wolfgang Bosbach sees no general fear of Islam within the society, however, but rather a justifiable fear of Islamists who are ready to commit acts of violence. An estimated 40,000 Islamists live in Germany. A small, but significant, number of them are prone to violence.
"Those [who are ready to be violent] out of religious motivation, out of religious extremism, are a real threat to security in Germany," Bosbach said.
Eight foiled and failed terrorist attacks have made it clear that the threat is real in Germany, Bosbach says. Security agents say these people represent a very small group of people - less than one percent of Muslims are Islamists. But they shape the obviously negative image of Islam and Muslims, which leads to widespread prejudice and fear that can lead to Islamophobia.
Fear of foreigners widespread
Over a period of ten years, the University of Bielefeld carried out a survey, which dealt with different aspects of bigotry. The survey showed that the fear of Islam is relatively widespread in Germany. Only 19 percent of Germans believe that Islam is compatible with German culture.
"That is the lowest (figure) that we found in Europe," says social psychologist Andreas Zick, who led and evaluated the study.
The survey also showed that 46 percent of all Germans are afraid of the infiltration by foreigners, and around 30 percent had specific fears, for example, terrorist attacks.
The overwhelming majority of Muslims who live in Germany are peaceful. Some major events have played a role in shaping the overwhelmingly negative image of Islam. After the September 11 attacks, certain stereotypes, opinions about the attitudes of Muslims, became deeply rooted in society, says Zick.
"Even so many years after the terrorist attacks (...), many people still associate Islam or Muslims with terrorism, with Sharia law, with a foreign religion, which doesn't fit in Germany," he adds, noting that that is a problem.
Some people actually feel something akin to fear and have the feeling that it's coming to something that cannot be controlled, he said. Many people become influenced by populism. "Since the terrorist attack, we have new politicial movements, which agitate against the alleged threat of Islam and Muslims," he said.
Populism fuels phobias
An example of right-wing parties are "Pro NRW" and "Pro Deutschland," which have campaigned against the construction of the mosque in Cologne and elsewhere with aggressive posters and borderline language. The message between the lines is clear: Islam is dangerous and there is no place for Muslims in Germany. But not only Islamists are taking advantage of Islam as a religion, right-wing populists are also using it for political purposes.
Detlef Pollack, a University of Münster religion sociologist, advises to differentiate between "Islamophobia" and "hostility toward Islam." That's because the fear of Islam is essentially a very vague feeling, while hostility toward Islam is based on a judgement. Pollack sees parallels between xenophobia in the early 1990s and the Islamophobia today in that both are based on social structures.
Has fear been turned into a taboo issue?
It is important to try to understand why the fear of Islam is more widespread in economically well-placed Germany than in other European countries. Detlet Pollack believes that it could have something to do with how German society works.
"A lot of what is seen as the problems of living with different ethnic or religious groups isn't actively discussed in the open," he adds.
It would be typically German, in order to behave properly, to have the tendency not to address problems directly. This leads to a tendency to sweep some things under the carpet.
"And then someone is surprised that there is a high degree of prejudice, of fear, the fear of being threatened," Pollack notes.
But if fears are not clearly articulated, then they cannot be dealt with. Dealing with fears constructively can help by potentially influencing people with rational arguments, which can help tackle fear. And information and education are just as important as the contact between people from different backgorunds and religions. The imminent opening of the mosque in Cologne, early this year, could to some degree contribute to reducing fear if it takes place in an environment of openness and trust.
・Disclaimer: WWRN does not endorse or adhere to views or opinions expressed in the articles posted. This is purely an information site, to inform interested parties of religious trends.
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