Christian indigenous villagers are suing the sole Malaysian Islamic State government for destroying their church, claiming it was an illegal act since the church was located in their land and not public land.
The villagers’ lawyer, N. Subramaniyan, stated the church was demolished in June last year where the Kelantan state government alleged it was built illegally on state land. The Temiar tribe, one of the ethnic aboriginal tribes in the Muslim-state, is hoping the court will declare the land to be legally theirs which will thus give them the right to build the church without the danger of it being torn down by authorities.
Pastor Moses Soo, whose Christian group had helped the villagers to build the church, told the Associated Press news wire that the wilful destruction of the church by the State government was a sign of discrimination against Christians.
The court case was heard on Tuesday by the Malaysian High Court though the trial was postponed to May this year.
Malaysia has recently gone through a period of high-profile court cases to protect the secular identity of the multi-racial state by the minority population. Just a while ago, a Malaysian man launched a legal case alleging the Malaysian Islamic Council was trying to perform the Muslim rites on his dead Christian wife.
World
Christians challenge Malaysian government for demolishing church
Christian indigenous villagers are suing the sole Malaysian Islamic State government for destroying their church, claiming it was an illegal act since the church was located in their land and not public land.
By: Christian Today Australia
Posted: Wednesday, 16 January 2008, 8:43 (EST)
Copyright © 2008 Christian Today. All rights reserved.
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This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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