Malaysian magazine apologises to Christians over sting operation

Kuala Lumpur, Mar. 7 (ANI): Malaysia's Al-Islam magazine has apologised for "unintentionally hurting the feelings of Christians" after it emerged that its reporters had posed as Christians and participated in a mass at the St Anthony's Church to investigate the allegations of apostasy.

"The two reporters involved also tendered their apology for not realising that what they have done in the course of their assignment has offended the feelings of Christians. Al-Islam hopes that such a thing will not recur," the Star Online quoted from the three paragraph apology posted on the website of the magazine's publisher Utusan Karya, as saying.

The report entitled 'Al-Islam's investigation in the church - finding the truth on teenage Malay apostates' was published in its May 2009 issue.

The reporters were said to have admitted to receiving the Holy Communion then spitting it out, an act Catholics consider a sacrilege.

Kuala Lumpur Archbishop Tan Sri Murphy Pakiam had on Thursday said the church would not pursue legal action against the magazine nor its reporters if a public apology was offered.

Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail had said that action should not be taken against reporters, as "they did not know the significance of the white bread".

Reverand Murphy said he was pleased with the quick response by the publishers, editors and authors.

"We accept their apology and extend our hand in peace. The Catholic community is now at peace following the apology. May God bless our country," he said. (ANI)