Malaysian Muslims ask Vatican to recall envoy over use of “Allah”

Islamists are now the Catholic Church' nemesis in building peace among believers. Their ignorance of history is blissful.  For the information of those who don't know, Arab Christians have used the word 'allah' (الله) long way even before the advent of Islam itself.  In pre-Islamic Makkah Muhammad's father (Islam's prophet) was named 'Abdullah' (عبد الله) --'Slave of God' or 'Servant of God -- which suggests that pre-Islamic Makkah had used the same word even before Islam came to be.

BANGKOK, Thailand (RNS) The Vatican’s first envoy to Muslim-majority Malaysia should quit and go back to Rome, angry Malaysian Islamists said after the Roman Catholic cleric said Christians may use the Arabic word “Allah” to describe God.

In an escalating confrontation, dozens of Islamists marched to the Vatican’s mission in Malaysia’s capital, Kuala Lumpur, after prayers at a mosque on Friday (July 19), and presented a 670-word memorandum demanding his recall.

The troubled envoy, Archbishop Joseph Marino of Alabama, arrived in the Southeast Asian country in April.

Marino’s problems began after his interview with reporters on July 11, when he spoke about the Christian Federation of Malaysia’s controversial decision to call God “Allah,” the Arabic word for God.

“It seems to be quite logical and acceptable,” Marino said in the interview.

Some Muslims complained, and the Malaysian government summoned Marino on July 16 to discuss the issue.

Muslim Persecution of Catholic Christians in Bengazi, Tunisia

Kung aling Iglesia raw ang inuusig ay siyang patotoo na TUNAY nga itong IGLESIA NI CRISTO ayon sa PASUGO Nobyembre 1954, p. 2, 1. (Pasugo is INC's official magazine)

Bombers target Catholic church in Benghazi, priests escape unhurt

Bishop of Benghazi, Maltese Mgr Sylvester Magro
is currently in Spain and was not there at
the time of the attack, a spokesman for the
Foreign Affairs Ministry confirmed.

Bengazi, Tunisia (Malta Today)- Fr Alan Castillo and Fr Raghib Marzouk escaped unhurt after a bomb went off at the Catholic church in Via Torino, Benghazi, late Friday night.

According to sources, a bomb was placed at the main of the church when an explosion rocked the area at around 11.30pm shattering several glass windows on the opposite side of the narrow road and also several windows in the building adjacent to the church housing the priests.

Fortunately, Maltese bishop Mgr Sylvester Magro was not there as he is currently in Spain attending a religious function.

Fr. Alan Castillo and Fr. Raghib Marzouk were however present at the time of the explosion, but both escaped uninjured.

Soon after the explosion security officials cordoned the area barring anyone from entering or leaving the area.

No one was hurt in this incident.

Foreign Affairs Minister George Vella also contacted the Maltese Consul in Benghazi Joe Pirotta to obtain "first hand" information on the incident and to express his solidarity with the people.

The Maltese Consulate is the only consulate, from among the EU member states, still open in Benghazi. The other consulates are those of Turkey, Tunisia and Egypt.

In a statement, the Foreign Affairs Ministry described the situation in Benghazi as being "highly fluid" and "easy to obtain explosive material".

Vella also spoke to Fr Alan Castillo, a father from the Philippines who assists Mgr Magro in his work. Fr Castillo said repair works to the church will be carried out by a Maltese man who lives near Benghazi.

Vella said that the situation in Libya was worrying the Maltese government, especially due to the Maltese citizen who in this case were giving their diplomatic and ecclesiastical services.

"The situation is worrisome and our attention is focused on to see how matters will develop, especially in the surrounding areas of Benghazi were the situation is highly instable," the foreign affairs minister said.

Vella added the Maltese government condemned all attacks: "We will be strengthening our bilateral and international efforts in the hope that the situation in Libya normalises as soon as possible."

Despite the end of the revolution, bomb attacks are still taking place in Benghazi. On the same night there were other bombs placed in different parts of the city: A bomb went off in the early hours of the morning outside the diabetes clinic in Sidi Hussein area; another bomb was placed inside one of the pipes of the Great Man Made River monument in Sciara Dubai; a third bomb was placed near the headquarters of one of the brigades manning the checkpoints close to the souk area by the sea.

Muslim mob burns Catholic church in Sudan capital

Photo Source: chron.com/AP News

KHARTOUM, Sudan (AP) — A Muslim mob set ablaze a Catholic church frequented by Southern Sudanese in the capital Khartoum, witnesses and media reports said on Sunday.

The church in Khartoum's Al-Jiraif district was built on a disputed plot of land, but the Saturday night incident appeared to be part of the fallout from ongoing hostilities between Sudan and South Sudan over control of an oil town on their ill-defined border.

Sudan and South Sudan have been drawing closer to a full-scale war in recent months over the unresolved issues of sharing oil revenues and the disputed border.

Last week, South Sudanese troops seized Heglig, which the southerners call Panthou, sending Sudanese troops fleeing. The Khartoum government later claimed to have regained control of the town.

The witnesses and several newspapers said a mob of several hundred shouting insults at southerners torched the church. Fire engines could not put out the fire, they said.

One newspaper, Al-Sahafah, said the church was part of a complex that included a school and dormitories. Ethiopian refugees living in the Sudanese capital also used the church...

Islamist Attacked Mosque in Pakistan killing 40 on Friday during Islam's Holiest Month in Ramadan

PESHAWAR, Pakistan (AP) — A suicide bomber struck a mosque in a Pakistani tribal region during Friday prayers, officials said, killing at least 40 people and wounding 85 others in the deadliest attack in the country in recent weeks.

The attack came during the holy month of Ramadan, a time of fasting, sharing and heightened community spirit for Muslims.

No group immediately claimed responsibility, but the Taliban and other Islamist militants have previously targeted mosques, especially if they believe enemies — such as army soldiers or anti-militant tribesmen — are using the facilities.

The mosque hit Friday is in Ghundi, a village in the Khyber tribal region, a part of Pakistan's tribal belt. Khyber has long been a base for Islamist militants, and the Pakistani army has waged multiple operations aimed at pacifying the region but with limited success.

Khyber also is a key region for the U.S. and NATO, because a large portion of non-lethal supplies heading to U.S. forces in Afghanistan passes through it.

Some 300 people had gathered for prayers Friday afternoon in the Sunni mosque, and many were on their way out when the explosion occurred, local administrator Iqbal Khan said.

"All the evidence we have gathered confirms that it is a suicide attack," said Fazal Khan, another local official who also confirmed the casualty figures. He said witnesses alleged the bomber was a young man.

Catholic Priest killed in Tunisian capital

What would happen if a Muslim imam was deliberately killed in the West? An unimaginable violence against non-Muslims would erupt around the world. But when an infidel priest dies at the hands of Muslims, we Christians simply pray for the soul of their victim and that may his blood be the seed of witnessing to Christ's own sacrifice on the Cross. Praise and thanks God (alhamdulillah), I am a Christian!

To Jesus Christ be praised forever!

(Reactions can be read at Jihadwatch.org)

(Reuters) - A Polish priest was murdered in the Tunisian capital Friday, state media cited the Interior Ministry as saying, the latest sign of rising religious tension since last month's revolution.

Mark Marios Rebaski was found dead at the School of Our Lady in Manouba where he worked, Tunisia Africa Press reported. His throat had been cut.

"The Ministry of the Interior condemns this act and regrets the death. Based on results of the preliminary investigation, including the method of assassination, it believes a group of terrorist fascists with extremist tendencies was behind this crime," it said.

40,000 Extremist Muslims Defend Blasphemy Law, Oppose Pope

Shouting 'we shall sacrifice our loves for the prophet', they told the government to reject Western influence

Pope Benedict XVI was accused of joining western propaganda against the Islamic state as demonstrators pledged to sacrifice their lives for Muhammad. The new governor of Punjab is told to express solidarity with Salman Taseer's murderer. Two attacks in the north-west leave 5 dead and 19 wounded. -Catholic Online

Shouting "we shall sacrifice our loves for the prophet", they told the government to reject Western influence and slammed Pope Benedict XVI for "joining Western propaganda against the Islamic state".

LAHORE, Pakistan (AsiaNews) - At least 40,000 people took to the streets of Lahore on Sunday to protest against any possible changes to the blasphemy law. The demonstration in Punjab's capital city was called by Jamat-e-Islami, the main Islamist opposition party, which was joined by other seven parties, as well as the Pakistan Muslim League (Q) and the Jamat-ud-dawa.

At the same time, extremists continue their attacks throughout the country against sensitive sites. Five people were killed and 19 wounded in two suicide attacks today in the country's north-west.

Thousands of people gathered at Mall Road, Lahore, to celebrate Tehreek Namoos-e-Risalat, the holiness of the Prophet Muhammad, and express their opposition to possible changes to the 'black law'.

Saudi Arabia: Christians and Jews NOT Benefiting from King Abdullah's Reforms Program Opposed by Clerics

The king's campaign to totally overhaul the Saudi textbooks to remove chapters which promote bigotry and religious fanaticism against Christians, Jews and Shi'ites was met with strong resistance.

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia and World's Single Most Authoritative Figure Pope Benedict XVI, leader of World's 1.2 billion Catholics meeting at the Vatican (Source: Saudi Embassy)

By Reuters

Saudi King Abdullah's reforms

Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah, who came to power in 2005 as the sixth ruler of the top oil exporter, started cautious reforms as part of his drive to open up the absolute monarchy and create jobs for its growing population.

Abdullah, believed to be aged about 87, went to the United States in November for medical treatment for a blood clot that complicated a slipped spinal disc.

He arrived in Morocco from New York on Saturday for convalesence, state media said.

Saudi Arabia remains an absolute monarchy, so economic and social policies depend on who is leading the country. Interior Minister Prince Nayef bin Abdul-Aziz is considered to be in a strong position to assume the leadership if serious health problems afflict the king and the crown prince.

Pakistan, 10,000 Rally again in support of Blasphemy Law

Reactions can be read at JihadWatch

In Pak, blasphemy law supporters on the streets

Associated Press

Peshawar: Rallies took place in Peshawar and Faisalabad on Sunday in support of Pakistan's strict blasphemy laws that stipulate death for those insulting Islam.

About ten-thousand supporters of the Islamist Jamaat-e-Islami party gathered in the northwestern city of Peshawar for a sit-in outside the provincial assembly.

In Faisalabad, meanwhile, a large crowd of activists from Islamist political parties held a demonstration in the city centre.

Pakistani Islamist groups called for the strikes and rallies this month despite assurances by the embattled ruling Pakistan People's Party that it would not pursue any changes to the laws.

The long-standing laws against blasphemy gained new attention when a Christian woman, Asia Bibi, was sentenced to death in November 2010 for allegedly insulting Islam's Prophet Muhammad.

The sentencing attracted local and international condemnation.

Asia Bibi to Move to a Women’s Prison in Multan

Lahore, Spero News – Asia Bibi, the Pakistani Christian woman sentenced to death on blasphemy charges, may be moved to Multan Prison, an all-women facility, due to security concerns. The Christian community expressed their concern to the authorities that the 45-year-old mother of five may not be safe in Sheikhupura Prison (Punjab) because of constant death threats from extremists around the country.

Asia’s husband Ashiq Masih also appealed to the authorities to improve her security, who explicitly said her life was in danger.

Similarly, Ministry of Interior asked the Punjab government to increase security for Asia Bibi in Sheikhupura Jail.

PAKISTAN: Islamist Pakistani Citizens Seek Pope's Apology?!!

Unbelievable people. Islamist sympathizers in Pakistan are seeking for an "apology" from the Pope when the Holy Father demanded the Pakistani government to repeal its barbaric law called "Blasphemy Law" which has been used by Islamists against Christians. Let us pray for them because they really do not know what they're doing. And remember to pray for those Christians being harassed and persecuted for the sake of Christ.

Rallies seek Pope’s apology
The International News by Asim Hussain

Photo Source: JihadWatch.org

LAHORE: Despite Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani’s categorical rejection of a demand by Pope Benedict to repeal the blasphemy laws, religious parties and groups continued their campaign to protect the laws and refused to stop it till Pope’s unconditional apology and dissolution of the parliamentary committee to review the laws.

On Friday, religious parties observed a countrywide protest day against what they called the west-backed conspiracies to amend the blasphemy laws. They held rallies and demonstrated while prayer leaders warned that Pope Benedict’s blatant and outrageous demand had exposed the hands pulling the strings behind the organised conspiracy to ignite religious clashes in Pakistan under the cover of a change in the blasphemy laws.

The Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) staged a demonstration outside the Lahore Press Club, led by Pir Ajmal Gilani and others who warned that Pope Benedict had challenged the very pillars of Islam and his outrageous act could endanger the security of Christians living in Pakistan and other Muslim countries. Ajmal Gilani said the Pope had in fact exposed the hands pulling strings of the organised campaign against the blasphemy laws in Pakistan. He said it also explained why the Pope did not utter any single word of condemnation against the organised blasphemy by the European press through the desecration of Holy Quran and sketches of the Prophet (SAW) of Islam.

Gulf activists condemn attacks on Arab Christians

By AFP

KUWAIT CITY - Dozens of academics, writers and rights activists from conservative Gulf states strongly condemned on Monday a wave of bombings targeting Christians in Arab countries, notably Egypt and Iraq.

"We strongly condemn the wave of killings and terror targeting Christians in the Arab and Muslim worlds," said a statement received by AFP and signed by around 60 intellectuals, the majority of whom are Saudis and Kuwaitis.

"We condemn attempts by terror groups to isolate them (Christians) and force them to immigrate from their land and homes," said the statement.

A New Year's Day bombing of a church in Alexandria, Egypt, killed 21 people while militants attacked a Baghdad cathedral on October 31 leaving 44 worshippers, two priests and seven security force personnel dead.

On New Year's Eve, two Iraqi Christians were killed and 16 wounded as 10 bombs exploded at different Christian homes in Baghdad.

The statement said the attacks were a trend that is forcing minorities, especially Christians, to flee the region and that were due to the absence of "modern civil laws" that treat people equally, regardless of religion.

Pope: Governments must protect minority Christians

VATICAN CITY | Mon Jan 10, 2011 7:41am EST

(Reuters) - Pope Benedict called on Monday for Pakistan to repeal its anti-blasphemy law and demanded that governments in predominantly Muslim countries do much more to protect minority Christians from violent attacks.

Speaking in his annual address to diplomats days after a senior Pakistani politician who opposed the legislation was assassinated by his own bodyguard, the pope said the Pakistani law was a pretext for violence against religious minorities.

The pope, who has used many of his addresses in recent weeks to demand religious freedom, renewed his condemnation of attacks on churches that left dozens dead in Egypt, Iraq and Nigeria.

He also called for called for religious freedom in Saudi Arabia, where Christians cannot worship in public, and communist China, which forces Catholics to join an official church.

Pope calls on Pakistan to repeal blasphemy law

VATICAN CITY, Jan 10 (Reuters) - Pope Benedict called on Monday for Pakistan to repeal its anti-blasphemy law, saying the law serves as a pretext for violence against religious minorities such as Christians in predominantly Muslim countries.

Speaking in his annual address to diplomats, dedicated this year almost exclusively to religious freedom, he also said Middle East governments must protect minority Christians, following bomb attacks against churches in Egypt and Iraq.

50,000 Muslims Rally in Support of the Blasphemy Law in Pakistan that is often used against minority Christians

By Atlas Shrughs - "And rally they did. But not against the sharia. Tens of thousands of Muslims marched in Pakistan's largest city in support of Islamic law, support for blasphemy laws. Death for blasphemers is Islamic law and cannot be changed. That is Islamic law. According to Islamic law, any attempt to reinterpret or reform Islam is "hypocrisy" ...... also punishable by death. Last month, five Christians were murdered in a week under Pakistan's blasphemy law."

Muslims Terrorizing Sweden, 1 died

Islamization is one of the many problems Europe and the Americas is facing today. The pandemic threat of Islamic terrorism is a fact we all have to face. Muslims' failure to assimilate in our free society damages our own system because they use our democracy and our freedom to demand for their rights but are not ready to reciprocate either. They brag about Muslim converts but killed those who leave Islam. Now they want our cities under their spell. May God protect our cities. -Catholic Defender

One dead after suicide bombing in Stockholm
Source: The Local Sweden's News in English

Two nearly simultaneous explosions rocked central Stockholm on Saturday evening, killing one person and injuring two others in what is believed to be a suicide attack.

• Stockholm attack follows terror warnings (12 Dec 10)
• Witnesses tell of Stockholm bomb terror (11 Dec 10)
• Two Swedes jailed for plotting Somalia attacks (8 Dec 10)
• Somali militia issues Lars Vilks death threat (24 Nov 10)

The fatal blast occurred just minutes after a car exploded on another nearby street sending two people to hospital.

Roughly ten minutes before the explosions, Swedish news agency TT received an email telling Muslims in Sweden and Europe it was "time to take action".

Sveriges Television (SVT) reported that both explosions, which occurred about 200 metres from one another, were part of a suicide attack in the Swedish capital.

The Slow Genocide Against Christians in the Middle East

by Farid Ghadry

Photo Credi AINA

Christians in the Middle East have long suffered from the ills of the region because of their religious beliefs. There is a slow process against the Christians using a systematic genocidal signature manifesting itself in a variety of forms. But there also exists a protective shield for Christians under an authoritarian umbrella. Either way, the size of their community is shrinking as we watch their own viability as a vibrant people become an issue the world needs to turn its attention to.

According to Daniel Pipes, in an article he published in the Middle East Quarterly, some 12 million Christians remain in the region. In Syria, Pipes offers that the Christian population represented one third of all Syrians in the early 20th century but now represent less than 10%. Grant you, this is partially due to lower birth rate, as Pipes argues, but persecution and terrorism have been the most painful source of their plight.

Thug Hardline Clerics in Pakistan offer reward to kill Asia Bibi

Thugs in Pakistan respect no laws. Asia Bibi has been found to be wrongly accused by some women of her town and used the infamous "Anti-Blasphemy Law" to silence her. Disgusting! (Read comments from JihadWatch.org). Can anyone double the prize to save Asia Bibi's life?

Asia Bibi Condemned to  Death by Islamic State of Pakistan proved by its court to be innocent
(Photo Source: beaconoftruth.com)

Hardline Pakistan cleric offers reward to kill Christian woman

By Faris Ali

PESHAWAR, Pakistan (Reuters) - A hardline, pro-Taliban Pakistani Muslim cleric Friday offered a reward for anyone who kills a Christian woman sentenced to death by a court on charges of insulting Islam.

The sentence against Asia Bibi has renewed debate about Pakistan's blasphemy law which critics say is used to persecute religious minorities, fan religious extremism and settle personal scores. Non-Muslim minorities account roughly 4 percent of Pakistan's about 170 million population.

Maulana Yousef Qureshi, the imam of a major mosque in the northwestern city of Peshawar, offered a $5,800 (3,700 pounds) reward and warned the government against any move to abolish or change the blasphemy law.

UK: Pictures From Today’s Muslims Against Crusades Rally by Logans Warning

Thanks to LogansWarning for these photos taken in London where Muslims USING our DEMOCRATIC SYSTEM for their own GAIN rallied against "Crusaders". A separate video was uploaded by the same blogger. This extremist IDEOLOGY legitimizes terrorist groups within Islam in attacking ARAB CHRISTIANS in their own lands. Let's fight evil by doing what is good in the eyes of God (الله‎ for Arab Christians, Jews and Muslims); who is LOVE (not hatred and revenge).  "Make me a channel of your peace, where there is HATRED let me bring LOVE." St. Francis of Assisi.

Demonstrators rally for persecuted Catholics in Iraq

(Photo Source: Furkono.com)

By Catholic Online
11/10/2010
Catholic Online (http://www.catholic.org/)
Attack on Catholic Church in Iraq left 58 dead

Members of Detroit, Michigan's Chaldean community, Iraqi Catholics, rallied in support of members who face persecution in their native land. Demonstrators say there is a lack of protection for Christians in Iraq. Rallies to be observed around the world will call attention to the Chaldeans' ongoing plight.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - Members of Michigan's Iraqi Christian community expressed sorrow and anger over the attack on October 31 on a Baghdad church that left that left 58 people dead.

Since 2007, thousands of Iraqi Christian refugees or immigrants have come to the Detroit area, which has one of the largest communities of people in the United States with roots in the Middle East.

Islamic fundamentalists preventing the construction of a church in Kuwait

The government and the emir have approved the project but the Kuwait City Municipal Council refuses to issue building permits or explain its reasons for doing so. About 460,000 Christians share four official churches, two Catholic, one Evangelical and one Anglican. A Coptic church is under construction.

Kuwait City (AsiaNews/Agencies) – A group of Christians has complained that Kuwait City’s Municipal Council is preventing them from getting land to build a church. "The Municipal Council is the big problem preventing us from getting land; not all of the members, just the Islamic fundamentalists," said Archimandrite Boutros Gharib, head of the local Greek Catholic Church.

Recently the municipal council blocked an attempt by the Greek Catholic Church to acquire land in Mahboula, an area in the Ahmadi governorate south of Kuwait City. The request has been pending for several years.