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Oct 30, 2009
15,000 bibles seized in M'sia

KUALA LUMPUR - MALAYSIAN authorities confiscated more than 15,000 Bibles imported from Indonesia in recent months because they referred to 'God' as 'Allah', a translation that has been banned in this Muslim-majority country, Church officials said on Thursday. The alleged seizure is certain to reignite complaints by religious minorities that their right to practice their faiths freely has come under threat as the government panders to the Muslim majority. A growing sense of discrimination among the minorities is chipping away at Malaysia's reputation as a harmonious multi-ethnic nation that practices a moderate brand of Islam. The Rev Hermen Shastri, general secretary of the Council of Churches of Malaysia, said authorities seized a consignment of 10,000 copies sent from Jakarta to Kuching in Sarawak state on Sept 11 because the Indonesian-language Bibles contained the word 'Allah'. Indonesian language is similar to Malaysian language, both of which use 'Allah' as translation for God. Another 5,100 Bibles, also imported from Indonesia, were seized in March, said an official from the Bible Society of Malaysia, who asked not to be named for fear of angering the government. A Home Ministry official said he was not aware of the seizures. -- AP