Interfaith Forum is First of its Kind in Malaysia

Jakarta Globe, Julia Zappei, April 07, 2010

Malaysia has set up an interfaith committee to help resolve religious disputes, which frequently raise tensions and have led to attacks on churches and mosques this year, officials said on Wednesday.

It is the first time non-Muslims and Muslims have come together in a government-supported forum, said Thomas Philips, a Christian community leader and a panel member. The committee will not have legal powers and can only make recommendations to the government.

Philips said the committee began its work on Tuesday with a meeting of about a dozen religious leaders and government representatives.

“It’s a good start,” he said. “The most important [thing] is whether we can walk the talk. Then there is hope we can move forward.”

Non-Muslims, who make up more than a third of the population, have increasingly complained that their rights to practice freely have been threatened under the Muslim-dominated government.

Churches were attacked in January after a high court allowed Christians to use the word “Allah” to refer to God in the Malay language. Philips said the committee discussed the Allah controversy and other sensitive issues at its first meeting.

The Malaysian Bar Council called establishment of the committee “a positive first step to strengthen national unity.”

Associated Press

The Mahanaim Church and Al-Muqarrabien Mosque share more than just a wall.
(Photo courtesy of Asia Calling)

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