[02.05.08] The Malaysian government has confiscated English-language Christian children's books with illustrations of prophets as well as books that use the word “Allah,” according to the Malaysian online news agency Malaysiakini.com.
The illustrations were deemed offensive to Muslims since Islam, which shares some prophets in common with Christianity, prohibits the portrayal of prophets, Compass Direct News reported.
In a statement last month, the Rev. Hermen Shastri, general secretary of the Council of Churches Malaysia, questioned how the books could be offensive to Muslims when they were not meant for them. Shastri urged the government to take immediate action to stop such seizures, Compass reported.
The right of non-Muslims to use the word “Allah” in their publications and practice of their religion is being tested in two court cases by the publisher of the Herald, a Catholic weekly newspaper, and the Evangelical Church of Borneo.
