Police probe Al-Islam over report offensive to Catholics

A priest in Malaysia has filed a complaint against an islamic magazine, al Islam, claiming an article offends the Christian religion. Specifically the priest was referring to a half eaten Holy Host.

But what brothers me about the article is that the authors were investigating whether apostates from islam were attending the church. The Sun Daily

The magazine, Al Islam which is published by Utusan Karya Sdn Bhd had carried a report written by two of its journalists who went "undercover" for mass at the St.Anthony Church on Jalan Pudu.

The reporters, one of whom was identified as Muhd Ridhwan Abdul Jalil had apparently gone to investigate a claim alleging that Malay Muslims who had committed apostasy were attending mass or prayers at the church.

Apostasy in islam is punishable by death. 'Whoever changed his Islamic religion, then kill him.'"

On July 8th after coming across t he story in the magazine, two parishners of the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit Church in Penang, Joachim Francis Xavier and Sudhagaran Stanley lodged a police report at the Patani police station in Penang urging police to probe the magazine and the journalist.

Federal police CID director, Comm Datuk Seri Mohd Bakri Zinin said the case was transfered to Dang Wangi police as the alleged act had taken place in their jurisdiction.

He said several people have been inteviewed over the report and the case has been classified under Section 298 (a) of the Penal Code for uttering words or actions with deliberate intent to wound religious feelings.

IMO, everyone should have the right to criticize religions, and anything else for that matter, without the fear of arrest or any other punishment.