More churches targeted in Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia – Firebombs were used at two more churches in Malaysia early today, the latest in a series of assaults on Christian houses of worship following a court decision that allows non-Muslims to use “Allah” to refer to God.

Hundreds of worshippers whose parish church was partly gutted in the firebomb attack last week gathered at a makeshift prayer hall for their Sunday service and called for national unity and an end to violence.

A Molotov cocktail was hurled today at All Saints Church in Taiping in central Perak state early in the morning before it had opened, said state police chief Zulkifli Abdullah. The building was not damaged.

A broken kerosene bottle with an unlit wick was found early today inside the compound of St. Louis Catholic Church, also in Taiping, said the Rev. David Lourdes. He said it appears to be a failed attack.

Four churches were hit by gasoline bombs on Friday and Saturday. All except the Metro Tabernacle, whose parishioners moved their services, suffered little damage.