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Islamic governments are campaigning against the "defamation" of religion--that is, criticizing Islam.  Yet Islamic governments routinely persecute members of minority faiths.  Even Malaysia, a reasonably moderate Muslim nation, is not free of past abuse.  But a recent surge in violence against Christians demonstrates how even a small number of Islamic radicals can effectively dominate Muslim societies and terrorize non-Muslim minorities.

Reports the New York Times:

A ninth church was vandalized Monday in Malaysia in a series of arson attacks that have raised religious tensions surrounding a dispute over the use of the word "Allah" by Christians in this mostly Muslim nation.

"Allah" is the common term for God in Malay-language Bibles, but the government and many Muslim groups insist that the word should be reserved for use in Islam.

The attacks, which began on Friday, came after a court ruling on Dec. 31 that overturned a government ban on the use of "Allah" by Christians. That ruling has been stayed while the government appeals.

This is a moment of truth for the Malaysian government.  If it wants to play a leading international role, it must protect its religious minorities--not only their lives, but their right to practice their faith.  Otherwise it will have little more moral credibility than Pakistan, Iran, and Saudi Arabia, true hellholes of religious persecution.