Selangor Umno members attended the rally against the Christians' use of 'Allah' this morning in Klang, despite party orders to stay away.
The rally, originally planned in front of the Lady of Lourdes Church to protest The Herald editor father Lawrence Andrew for calling on Christians to continue using the word 'Allah' in their Malay prayers, was moved to a field nearby after a backlash from critics.
About 100 people turned up at Sultan Sulaiman Club field, comprising members of Gerakan Masyarakat Prihatin, Jati, Isma and Pekida Meru division along with Umno Selangor members.
Kapar Umno deputy chief Saroni Judi who was present said he was worried that the use of 'Allah' by Christians would be abused.
Yesterday Selangor Umno chief Noh Omar banned his members from attending the rally and from rallying outside churches statewide, after critics blasted the ruling party for supporting the protest.
Meanwhile Sunday mass at the said church proceeded without disruption while a group of Muslims including activist Marina Mahathir showed solidarity with the churchgoers by gathering outside bearing flowers.
Christians who observe the religion in Bahasa Malaysia say they have been using the term 'Allah' to refer to god in their prayers and texts for over a century.
The matter became acrimonious when the Home Ministry banned its use, and escalated when the High Court ruled that the ministry's actions were unconstitutional and lifted the ban.
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