Embers in Southeast Asia

As if the battle between moderate and radical Muslims needed another hotspot, there are warning signs emerging in Southeast Asia. Malaysia, which traditionally has a good track record of integrating Muslims and Christians, has faced unease this year. For instance:

Malaysia’s government sought to defuse new religious tensions Monday following allegations that church leaders were conspiring to make Christianity the official religion in this Muslim-majority country.

Christian officials insist the accusation is a lie intended to create suspicion between ethnic Malay Muslims and religious minorities, but several Muslim activists have filed police complaints demanding an investigation into what they consider a threat to the position of Islam.

Indonesians were also reminded of their recent turmoil with Abu Bakar Bashir’s pronounced support for the deceased Osama bin Laden. Bashir, a longstanding leader of the Jemaah Islamiyah that perpetrated the Bali Bombing of 2002, is on trial for terrorism-related charges. He and other extremist Muslims have attempted to stoke Christian-Muslim war by attacking churches earlier this year. Keep your eyes peeled for new inter-religious violence in Southeast Asia.