(Thumbnail image: Bangkok Post)

The government of Malaysia is working to save political face after a string of church bombings.  When a court ruled a Catholic publication could refer to God as “Allah,” many in the mostly Muslim country protested the term is for Muslim use only.  Officials haven’t identified the church bombers, but global media report the attacks could be linked to protestors of the recent court decision.
 
We’re looking at perspectives from Press TV, Asia Times, the BBC, Bernama, and The Malaysia Kini.

International observers note the “Allah” debate and the church bombings highlight religious tensions in a country long-touted as an example of Muslim modernism.

Iran’s Press TV brings us a Malaysian political analyst who disputes international rumors that the country is divided.

“We are not sure that those arsonists are even Muslim. They could be enemies of Islam who try to bring bad names to the faith. As far as I can see, there’s no such thing as any religious tension or division in this country. Most Malaysians are united.”

The Asia Times and the BBC disagree, saying the bombings put the Malaysian government in a difficult situation.

ASIA TIMES: “Now [the government] finds itself in the unenviable position of having to rein in a situation that eerily hints at the tipping point that many moderate Malaysians have long feared: a brazen spate of race-based violence that begets more of the same.”

BBC NEWS: “…but handling the dispute will be a challenge for the government. It must keep the support of Muslim Malays while winning back ethnic minorities who turned away from the governing coalition last election.”

Malaysia’s state-owned Bernama reports the perspective of the country’s home minister, who:

“…urged the people not to blindly believe reports by foreign media on the arson attempts on churches, saying these reports were not a reflection of the actual situation.”

As the country continues to debate non-Muslim use of the term“Allah,” a letter to the editor of The Malaysia Kini urges a swift solution.

“The rest of the world is watching how our government handles the issue. Let's strive for unity in this country.”

So is Allah a term exclusive to Islam? Or should Christians be allowed to use the term?  Or -- is this entire debate just fueling a fire long simmering in Malaysia?

Writer/Producer: Newsy Staff