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The latest attack, on an Evangelical Christian church, |
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caused limited physical damage - |
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just a burned door and a charred entranceway. |
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But the political implications may be more serious. |
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Tensions have flared after Malaysia's High Court |
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ruled that a Roman Catholic newspaper, |
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the Herald, was permitted to use the word "Allah" |
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to describe God in its Malay language editions. |
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Muslim groups argue that |
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Christians using a word so closely associated with Islam |
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could be a ploy to win converts. |
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Christians make up around 9% |
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of the population in the majority Muslim state. |
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Most non-Muslims are ethnically Indian or Chinese. |
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The row over the use of the word "Allah" |
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has exposed deep resentments |
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over the treatment of minorities |
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and freedom of religion in Malaysia. |
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A government minister told foreign diplomats on Monday |
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the church attacks were the work of extremists. |
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"These were not just attacks on houses of worship" he said, |
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"these were attacks on the values |
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and freedoms all Malaysians share." |
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Under the slogan "One Malaysia", |
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the government has made racial harmony a central policy. |
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Its commitment to that policy |
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is now being severely tested. |