Church in Malaysia forgives arsonists

KUALA LUMPUR - The Christian Federation of Malaysia Thursday said it had forgiven the arsonists involved in the attacks that took place earlier this month and would pray that they “return to the right path”.

“We are not here to rejoice because the perpetrators have been caught. We feel sorry for them because they have been misled. We will rejoice if the country can get everybody back to peace and harmony,” federation chairman Bishop Ng Moon Hing was quoted as saying by New Straits Times.

He said the church was peace loving and did not want to see any violence in the country.

Eight churches across the country were attacked following a high court ruling upholding the right of a Catholic church magazine to publish the word “Allah” on its masthead, which allegedly offended sections of majority Muslims.

“Our concern is only for peace. We have been here for years. We have been worshipping peacefully and we want it to continue that way,” Ng said.

Ng also said Prime Minister Najib Razak’s call for unity was the way to go, but added that Malaysians should ensure it was not just a slogan.

Meanwhile, leaders of Metro Tabernacle Church said they have put the arson incident behind them and are looking forward to the first service at their new church building Sunday.

“We have forgiven the culprits,” church lay leader Peter Yeoh said.

Eight men, aged between 21 and 26, were arrested in connection with attack on the church Jan 8.

“We were very calm about it. We took everything in our stride, did whatever we had to do and let the police get on with their job. It is the future, in the form of a new church in Batu Caves, that the congregation is looking to now.”

Batu Caves, located 30 km outside the national capital, also houses Hindu shrines and attract millions of devotees.

Multi-religious Malaysia comprises majority Malay Muslims, ethnic Chinese, nearly two million ethnic Indians, both of which practice different faiths, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity and Sikhism.