Three stores hit with molotov cocktails after pictures of socks deemed offensive by Muslims shared on social media

Three stores belonging to a Malaysian minimart chain that sold socks carrying the word “Allah” have been targeted with molotov cocktails over the past week, in a rare case of such violence.

One of KK Super Mart’s stores in Kuching, the capital of Sarawak, in Malaysian Borneo, was hit by a molotov cocktail on Sunday, a day after a separate attack on a store in Pahang on the east coast of peninsular Malaysia. On 26 March, a store in Perak was also targeted with a petrol bomb, though it did not ignite, according to local media.

No one was injured in the incidents, which are being investigated by police.

The attacks came after pictures of socks bearing the word “Allah” at one of the chain’s stores were shared widely on social media, provoking outrage among Muslims who viewed use of the word in association with feet to be offensive.

Mostly Muslim ethnic Malays make up two-thirds of Malaysia’s population, while the country also has large ethnic Chinese and Indian minorities.

  • BreakDecks@lemmy.ml
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    8 months ago

    “Allah” is just the Arabic word for “God”, and not everyone who speaks Arabic is Muslim. The word predates Islam. Arab Christians and Jews also use it as a word for God.

    Regardless, offending someone does not make one deserving of a firebomb.

    • generalpotato@lemmy.world
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      8 months ago

      No, but it has become a trend to offend Muslims and then hide behind the guise of “freedom of speech”, or “mea culpa” or whatever else shitty excuse offenders come up with. That’s not ok.

      Firebomb is extreme and I do not condone it, but you can’t be mad at conservative Muslims who have repeatedly voiced concerns of offense without any sort of action being taken, which drives to extreme measures (big surprise).

      • BreakDecks@lemmy.ml
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        8 months ago

        Free speech, except for making fun of sky daddy. lmao, no.

        I can spit in God’s face whenever I please because I have human rights and God doesn’t (because he’s not real). You don’t get to commit violence against me for rejecting your fairy tale, because that violates my rights. I never violated your rights, you are always free to believe whatever you want - same as me.

        Words never justify violence. If you want to hurt people who insult your god, you’re just proving that your god deserves it for having such shit followers.

        • generalpotato@lemmy.world
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          8 months ago

          “Free world, lmao”.

          Free speech doesn’t mean free of consequences. It applies to racism, xenophobia and hate speech that targets a specific group or incites violence.

          Don’t be surprise that extremists come at you if you’re going to act like 2 yr old with the responsibility that comes with free speech. Everyone has a moral obligation to be citizens in good faith.