Nine churches attacked


Photo from church member's video
Nine churches were recently targeted in Malaysia in a series of arson attacks sparked by religious tensions between Muslims and Christians over the use of the word "Allah." In the Malay-language, "Allah" is the common term Christians have used for God for hundreds of years. However, many Muslims believe the word "Allah" should be restricted to Muslims, as they believe its use by other religions could lead to confusion and possible conversions. The attacks, which began on January 8, came after a Supreme Court ruling on December 31 which overturned a government ban on the use of "Allah" by Christians -- a ruling the government has since appealed. One of the nine churches targeted in the violence, the Metro Tabernacle Church at Desa Melawati, was significantly damaged.

Pray for guidance for Christians in Malaysia as they face opposition. Ask God to provide for and encourage those affected by these attacks. Pray that increased persecution will result in increased boldness among believers in Malaysia (Acts 4:29-31).

For a video report on rising religions tensions in Malaysia, please click here. For more information on the suffering of Christians in Malaysia, click here.

  • Country Information

    Population
    34,219,975 (2023 est.)

    Ethnicity (%)
    Bumiputera (63.8 - Malays and indigenous peoples), Chinese (20.6), Indian (6), others (0.6), non-citizens (9)

    Religion (%)
    Muslim (63.5), Buddhist (18.7), Christian (9.1), Hindu (6.1), Confucianism, Taoism, other traditional Chinese religions (0.9), Other (1.8),

    Leader
    King Sultan Ibrahim ibni al-Marhum Sultan Iskandar (2024)

    Government type
    Federal parliamentary constitutional monarchy

    Legal system
    Mixed legal system of English common law, Islamic law, and customary law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Federal Court at request of supreme head of the federation

    Source: CIA World Factbook

  • Pray for Malaysia

    Pray that Christians will stand firm in their faith, despite opposition

    Pray that Malaysian Christians will be free to practice their faith in Jesus Christ.

    Pray that all Christians in Malaysia will be able to freely access the Bible.

Malaysia News

  • Raymond Koh's Wife Demands Answers
    Raymond Koh is posing with his wife, two daughters, and son.
    Raymond Koh and his family.
    Photo: VOM USA

    Pastor Raymond Koh was no stranger to persecution when he was abducted off the streets of Malaysia on February 13th, 2017. The incident was caught on security cameras and, although no information about Pastor Raymond's captors has ever been released by the authorities, it is believed that government security forces were responsible for the incident. Video footage of the abduction is available here. For previously published reports about the missing pastor, see this list.

  • Fifth Anniversary of Pastor Raymond Koh's Disappearance
    Pastor Raymond Koh, Jonathan (son), Susanna (wife), and Esther (daughter)
    Pastor Raymond Koh, Jonathan (son),
    Susanna (wife), and Esther (daughter)
    Photo (family): Free Malaysia Today

    On February 13th, 2017, surveillance cameras captured Pastor Raymond Koh being forced to bring his vehicle to a sudden stop before masked men abducted him in an operation that appeared to be executed with military precision. The abducted pastor has not been seen nor heard from since the incident. Under suspicion of state police for attempting to convert ethnic Malays to Christianity, Pastor Raymond and his wife Susanna received death threats prior to the incident.

  • "Release Raymond Koh" Petition
    Where is Raymond Koh?

    On February 13th, 2017, Pastor Raymond Koh was abducted from the streets of Malaysia. He hasn't been seen or heard from since, and his car has never been located. Video footage of the entire crime was captured by nearby security cameras.

  • State Police Found Responsible for Disappearances
    Pastor Raymond Koh - Photo: World Watch Monitor www.worldwatchmonitor.org
    Pastor Raymond Koh

    Pastor Raymond Koh disappeared on February 13th, 2017 when his car was forced to stop and he was abducted in broad daylight by masked men (see this report). On April 3rd of this year, the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia released findings that placed blame for the attack on the "Special Branch" of the state police.