Council of Churches Press Statement

MAJLISGEREJA-GEREJAMALAYSIA

COUNCIL OF CHURCHES OF MALAYSIA


26 JalanUniversity, 46200 Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan,Malaysia

Tel: 03-79608926 Fax:03-79560353 E-Mail:cchurchm@streamyx.com


"United to build and to be a Blessing"



PRESS STATEMENT

CONFISCATING OF CHRISTIAN LITERATURE

The Council of Churches strongly deplores the action of the state enforcement officials of the Publications and Al-Quran Texts Control Department under the Internal Security Ministry who recently confiscated English language Christian children's books said to contain offensive caricatures of prophets from several bookshops in three states; Johor Baru, Negeri Sembilan and Perak.

Such officials have no right and have overstepped their bounds by confiscating Christian literature.

It has been stated that illustrations of prophets depicted in the children's books are offensive to the sensitivities of Muslims.

In the first place, the Christian children's books are not meant for Muslims, so how can it be offensive to them?

Second, the illustrations contained in whatever form in such books depict biblical characters of spiritual significance for Christians.

By such an action the officials have offended the sensitivities of Christians because their publications and depictions of their biblical personalities have now become targets of unscrupulous Muslim officials bent on curtailing religious freedom in the country.

The Council of Churches strongly urges the Prime Minister and his Cabinet to take immediate action to put a stop to such actions by the said Ministry.

If such actions continue, it will undermine democracy and tarnish the good relations between the different religious communities in the country.

Immediate steps should be taken to amend administrative rules and regulations especially in the Internal Security Ministry that give a freehand to enforcement officials to act at their whim and fancies.




(signed)

Rev. Dr. Hermen Shastri,

General Secretary

Council of Churches of Malaysia

17th January 2008.

Getting Married?

This is one of my cartoonist Lat favorites! It's hilarious.

I'm dedicating this cartoon to our blogging friends who may want to get hitched after December 29th this year...On no account of this cartoon, ever change your plan to do so!

This picture is from Lat's book, Lots of Lat. Do click the pic to have a better image.

A Tribute to the King

That's Elvis Presley, I'm talking about. Like many others in those old days we loved this guy and the unique style of his whenever he crooned or belted sentimental, romantic or hot songs ... Here are Malaysia's popular cartoonist Lat's drawings of the amazing influence of this popular great singer back in the 1970s... Indeed, there was a time, especially in the 1960s and 1970s when all optimistic Malaysians looked to the future with great hopes and dreams...We gave and took from each other. Religious extremism didn't rudely intrude into our lives...No one waved racist banners and krises (knives) to gain popularity and votes in a political party and to further their political ambitions. No one talked of an Islamic state. Everyone knew Malaysia has been and still is a secular state, politically speaking. PERIOD. By the way, to all you politicians and politicians-wannabes out there, please grow up and stop using the May 13 incident, religion or other races as the horrible boogeyman to gain political support from gullible souls in your ungodly lust for power at the political top. Don't let the rest of Malaysia and the world keep laughing at your comical childish antics and foolishness. Relax and just enjoy Gulliver's Travels.

Please click on the cartoons to enlarge the pictures. I'm also including a video of one of his most memorable performances in 1973, four years before he sadly passed on... Rest in Peace in God's heavenly mansion above, Elvis! God's truth is forever marching on...

Malaysia's Folly