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| Southeast Asia |
| Malaysia 'teapot cult' attacked |
| 2005-07-18 |
| Arsonists have attacked the base of a small inter-faith sect in Malaysia called the Sky Kingdom. The sect is noted for building a giant teapot to symbolise its belief in the healing purity of water, and is accused of luring Muslims away from Islam. A lawyer for the sect, Haris Mohamad Ibrahim, said that about 30 armed men dressed in Arab robes had attacked the commune with Molotov cocktails. No-one was injured in the attack, which caused a small fire. The sect - based in the strongly Muslim state of Terengganu - claims to promote harmony between religious groups. Its leader, Ayah Pin, says he is the saviour of the world. He has attracted believers from many different religious groups with his message of love and tolerance. He claims to allow his followers to be members of any faith, including Islam. Earlier this month, the group was raided by police, and 21 followers were arrested for possessing documents contrary to Islam. They were all freed on bail pending a court appearance in September. Members have been jailed in the past for attempting to renounce Islam, and the group's bizarre constructions have been deemed to be against local regulations. |
| Posted by:Paul Moloney |
| #9 When I first read this, I thought it was a Monty Python sketch - I mean really, picture the scene: Group of people sitting around a giant teapot discussing the benefits of 'milk before tea', talking about the weather and generally being nice to each other when all of a sudden a bunch of turbans come hurtling around the corner lobbing Molotovs! - and then they turn out to be totally incompetent, 30 armed men hurling petrol bombs and just starting a small fire? - pathetic! I half expected to see John Cleese mentioned in it somewhere. The depressing thing is that we'll probably hear some time later on that they've all been killed by representatives of the RoP. |
| Posted by: Tony (UK) 2005-07-18 20:08 |
| #8 we just need to tip them over and turn them out! |
| Posted by: 2b 2005-07-18 15:29 |
| #7 "Oh it's moderate. Any other Muslim country, it'd be an unreported scorch-mark on the ground." Finally we have a reality-based working definition of Moderate Islam. |
| Posted by: .com 2005-07-18 15:28 |
| #6 lol BH, I shoulda seen that one coming :-) |
| Posted by: Frank G 2005-07-18 10:00 |
| #5 The sect is noted for building a giant teapot to symbolise its belief in the healing purity of water They are a short, stout group of lads. |
| Posted by: BH 2005-07-18 09:09 |
| #4 It's the new improved tolerant faith moving the kind deeds of the Malaysian government. |
| Posted by: MunkarKat 2005-07-18 09:06 |
| #3 Oh it's moderate. Any other Muslim country, it'd be an unreported scorch-mark on the ground. |
| Posted by: Pappy 2005-07-18 08:07 |
| #2 21 followers were arrested for possessing documents contrary to Islam...Members have been jailed in the past for attempting to renounce Islam Sounds like a nice, free country, this Malaysia. Keep this case in mind the next time someone claims it's a "moderate" country. |
| Posted by: Robert Crawford 2005-07-18 07:25 |
| #1 30 armed men dressed in Arab robes Musta been a bunch of Unitarians. |
| Posted by: Robert Crawford 2005-07-18 07:24 |