Recent attacks against Catholic churches in Malaysia over the use of the word "Allah" in the Malay language have shattered misconceptions that the country was free from the hate-filled terrorism that has become an epidemic in Europe, the United States and other parts of Asia.

The coming weeks are important for the multiethnic nation because the Malaysian government's response to this crisis will show the rest of the world either that the recent attacks were an aberration, or that they were symptomatic of widespread religious and social unrest.

While Japan has yet to experience such an attack, the incidents in Malaysia have shown how religious hatred can break down preconceived notions and should serve as a reminder of the ever-present risk of extremism.