Amid threats of protest by Muslim pressure groups
at a church in Klang this morning, progressive Muslims made a stand
outside the church to defend their fellow Christian Malaysians.
Among the group was Marina Mahathir (
right in photo),
daughter of former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad who like some 40
others, came bearing flowers and stood outside the Our Lady of Lourdes
church as mass was in session.
"We are here to show solidarity with the congregation. A lot of us here are Muslims and we believe Islam is a religion of peace.
"It is not something that we only say (in words), but there must also be action," she told journalists outside the church.
A conservative Muslim group dubbed Sekretariat Solidariti Muslim Klang
had planned to protest outside the Church after Lawrence Andrew, the
editor of Christian publication The Herald, insisted that Christians
will continue to use the word Allah.
However, in the face of mounting tension and criticism, they later decided to relocate their protest to a nearby field.
Selangor Umno which initially said that it too will protest in front of
Churches, yesterday banned its members from attending such
demonstrations, citing the need to maintain harmony.
Business as usual
Some 900 people turned up at the Church this morning for 8am mass
proceeded as usual with parish priest Michael Chua leading the mass.
Lady of Lourdes Church administrator EA Louis said the congregation
today, which spilled outside the Church and had to sit on plastic
chairs, were no more than the usual.
"It's
like any other Sunday. We all know it is our obligation to come pray
and worship. We don't feel threatened. Nothing at all," he said.
He added that it was the right of any group to protest and the Church is leaving the matter to the authorities.
However, he expressed concern that interfaith relations may be affected until government leaders are willing to speak up.
The mass was like any other, with hymns and prayers until the very end,
where Chua specifically addressed the recent controversy.
"A word of appreciation to the parishioners for not being cowered by
what is happening and coming to mass to worship God," he said.
Chua also thanked supporters from other Churches as well as the Bar
Council and MPs such as Seputeh's Teresa Kok and Klang's Charles
Santiago who were present.
"The police have contained the protesters at a stadium on the other side
so we pray they will be able to demonstrate and express their
grievances peacefully and hopefully not march to the Church.
"Father Lawrence has also taken the brunt of blame for everything, and we pray for him. May good sense prevail," he said.
'Gesture of peace'
Later, Chua, met with Marina and the group she was with outside the
Church and personally thanked them for support and they reciprocated by
handing him flowers.
"I think it is a wonderful gesture to have so many Muslims come in
solidarity. We hope this will grow - the ability to see beyond barriers
and boundaries and to open hands in friendship to each other," he said.
At this, Marina replied: "It is a reciprocal gesture of peace. In
Myanmar, the Archbishop of Rangoon also spoke up for the Rohingyas
(Muslims). That is how it should be."
The "Muslim defenders" today were part of a Facebook initiative dubbed "In the Name of Allah" which invited to Muslims to defend the Church from the planned protest.
At least seven police personnel were spotted guarding the Church
perimeter while another two community police members were assisting with
traffic.
The congregation dispersed peacefully after mass ended at around 9am.
The Sekretariat Solidariti Muslim Klang had today 
