Booklets on Jesus with ‘Allah’ word upset villagers in Balik Pulau

Copies of the ‘Al-Masih’ booklets which were distributed in Balik Pulau, Penang, today. Authorities say the booklets’ contents are misleading and that the case is being investigated. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Hasnoor Hussain, March 5, 2015.

A group of Muslims in Balik Pulau, Penang, is up in arms over the distribution of booklets entitled “Al-Masih”, which tell the story of Jesus Christ and contain the word “Allah”.

About 50 booklets were distributed in seven villages from Kampung Titi Teras to Sungai Pinang, over an area of 10km radius.

Sungai Pinang Federal Village Security and Development Committee chairman Mohd Yusof Salam said he had been getting complaints from villagers since yesterday after they woke up and found the booklets on their doorsteps.

He said it was believed that the booklets were deliberately distributed when the people were in bed, adding that the Rukun Tetangga patrollers had not seen any suspicious individuals during their rounds before 3am.

"The villagers initially thought they were normal religious booklets. After they studied the content, they became uneasy and confused. The booklet stated that Jesus and Mary were married.

"The contents are misleading. We hope this will be investigated," he told a press conference called by Teluk Bahang state assemblyman Datuk Shah Headan Ayoob Hussain Shah at his service centre in Kampung Rusa today.

Yusof said there could be more than 50 copies of the booklet, which was shown to the committee, because some villagers had thrown them away.

Villagers Zuridah Senafi, 38, and Hasmah Yahya, 55, said they felt that their village had been trespassed, since the distribution of the booklets was mostly likely the work of outsiders.

Balik Pulau Umno Youth chief Hisham Abdul Hamid said they were worried that the "devious teachings" would confuse some people.

He said seven police reports had been lodged by Umno Balik Pulau and several local non-governmental organisations, urging the police to investigate.

"We're not pointing fingers at anyone or blaming any religion. All we want is to find who is responsible, as the booklets contain information that contradicts the teachings of Islam," he said.

Shah Headan said he was shocked by the incident.

"I would say it is a very brazen act, something done to confuse people. Such incidents have to be nipped in the bud before they spread," he said.

He also urged the people to stay calm, not take matters into their own hands should they find out who was responsible, and leave things to the police.

He added that people who found the booklets should hand them over to the police or their local leaders.

Southwest district police chief superintendent Lai Fah Hin confirmed receiving the reports and added that the case was being investigated under Section 298A of the Penal Code for causing disharmony, disunity, feelings of enmity, hatred, ill-will or prejudice on religious grounds.

- TMI