An Islamic NGO has defended the Selangor Islamic Affairs Department (Jais), which had seized more than 300 copies of the Bahasa Malaysia and Iban language Bible on Jan 2.

In a statement, Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (Isma) also begged to differ with the view that this amounts to persecution of the Christian community.

                    

"There are some parties who condemn this action as ungraceful and contrary to freedom of religion,” said its president Abdullah Zaik Abdul Rahman.

"It is the Christians who are taking the opportunity to draw local and international sympathy to paint (the picture) that they are being discriminated against and denied their religious rights in Malaysia.”

Abdullah Zaik said that Jais’ action was simply against religious extremists who are out to provoke Muslims and spread "Islamphobia", which would destroy harmony in Malaysia.

He pointed out that Jais did not invade a place of worship - but the premises of the Bible Society of Malaysia in Damansara, Selangor - and therefore no constitutional rights were violated by its action.

The statement quoted single paragraph from the appellate court's ruling last October on the use of the word ‘Allah’, in that this is "not an integral part of the (Christian) faith."

"We are (also) disappointed by the delirious and insensitive thoughts of some Muslims who are willing to side (with) Islam's enemies and let Islam be stepped on and insulted in the name of wisdom," Abdullah Zaik added.