Two American Protestant Christians, Ricky Ruperd and Zachry Harris, who were accused and arrested on 25 April, for passing out pamphlets with religious content to Muslims, have been freed in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. They were considered to be proselytising and were sentenced to 14 days in jail despite a great outcry from Christian groups.
Islam is the official and favoured religion in Malaysia, and the law of the country makes it very difficult for other religions to spread, as it is illegal and considered as a crime to attempt to convert a Muslim.
The Prime Minister, Abdullah Badawi, recently said that the Bibles published in the Malay language will not be banned as long as they contain a clear warning that it is 'Not for Muslims'.
In a meeting with former Singapore Prime Minister Lee Kuan, and former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, it was reassured that there was no danger that Islamic fundamentalism might enter into Malaysia.
The two Americans were originally arrested in Putrajaya, Kuala Lumpur and were ordered to be held in custody for 2 weeks.
According to the spokesperson for the US Embassy, after ten days in custody, "All the accusations were withdrawn and the two were released."
-
Taxing faith: The Court of Appeal’s VAT Judgment and the future of Christian education
-
The state of Christianity and the medieval Church in England before the Reformation
-
The Gorton and Denton by-election and the alarming rise of sectarianism in British politics
-
Assisted suicide falters in Westminster but receives final approval in Jersey
News
-
Investigation launched into fire at west London church
-
Police officer praised for defending right to preach in Muslim area
-
Amid calls to 'make Britain Christian again', here are some questions for the Church
-
Who was Matthias and why is he called the thirteenth apostle?
-
Met commends officer who defended Christian street preacher's free speech against Muslim criticism
-
European Parliament's recognition of 'Christianophobia' welcomed
Most Popular
News
What a recent doctor's visit taught me about modern Britain
Attention is one of the purest forms of love but so many people are going unnoticed, writes J John.
The state of Christianity and the medieval Church in England before the Reformation
As with much late-medieval faith, things were complex and there clearly was a hunger for a relationship with Christ, even if sometimes expressed in ways that would be rejected by later Reformers.
Former Sri Lankan intelligence chief arrested over Easter bombings that killed 279
The 2019 bombings were the worst Islamist terror attack in Sri Lanka's modern history.
Nigeria rejects claims it paid ransom and released Islamists to secure kidnapped children
A report by AFP includes claims that Nigeria paid as much as $7 million and released two Boko Haram commanders in exchange for the release of children and staff kidnapped from a Catholic school.