It was interesting to note that the recent controversy on the use of the term "Allah" among non-Muslim minorities in Malaysia triggered another unnecessary controversy with regards to the term used by the Sikh community and the lyrics of the state anthems. Actually, these two issues have already been mentioned in the 1980s. They should have been aware of these past discussions so that they could have saved some time. See the opinions below by some Malaysians. (Lily)
(1) ‘Malaysians Unplugged Uncensored’（http://malaysianunplug.blogspot.com）
Should Non-Muslims Be Permitted to Sing State Anthems with 'ALLAH' in them ? , 5 January 2008
by Malaysian Unplug
Abdullah Mohamad Zain, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department said the (Govt) Cabinet at its meetings on Oct 18 and Nov 1 last year decided that the word "Allah" could only be used by Muslims to avoid confusion. For centuries, Sikhs have used the words ‘Allah’ to refer to God as well as the Arabic terms ‘iman’ and ‘ibadat’ for faith and worship. Following the government’s ban against the usage of purportedly ‘Islamic’ terms by non-Muslims, what will happen to the practice of the Sikh religion in Malaysia? “We have used the terms Allah and Rahim (Most Merciful), for example, extensively in our writings and in our prayers to refer to the One God. The word Allah is used in our main holy scripture. Sikh gurus in India have used these terms for centuries, they have become part of the Punjabi language, and we are still using them today,” said Malaysian Gurdwara Council head Harcharan Singh when contacted.
Sikhs also use the word ‘Khuda’ for God, he noted in reference to the term used, among others, by Bangladeshi Muslims. “If the word Allah has been banned for use by non-Muslims, what’s going to happen to Sikhs and the practice of their religion?” he asked.
The Malaysian Cabinet should now also decide:
• Whether Non-Muslims should be allowed to sing the following State Anthems with the words "ALLAH"
OR
• Whether to have separate State Anthems in which the word Allah is changed to Tuhan strictly for non-Muslim citizens, to abide the latest Malaysian Govt Cabinet decision.
・State: Kelantan
Lanjutkan usia Sultan kami
Sultan Kelantan Raja ikrami
Aman sentosa Tuhan sirami
Berkekalan masa memerintah kami
Kasih dan taat disembahkan
Sepenuh keriangan patek ucapkan
Segala kebesaran Allah cucurkan
Darjah kemuliaan Allah tambahkan
・State: Trengganu
Allah daulatkan Tuanku Sultan
Terengganu Darul Iman
Allah peliharakan Tuanku Sultan
Sejahtera sepanjang zaman
Allah rahmatkan Tuanku Sultan
Memerintah rakyat aman
・State: Kedah
Allah selamatkan Sultan Mahkota
Berpanjangan usia diatas Takhta
Memelihara agama Nabi kita
Negeri Kedah serata-rata
・State: Perak
Dilanjutkan Allah usianya Sultan
Adil dan murah memerintah watan
Ditaati rakyat kiri dan kanan
Iman yang saleh Allah kurniakan
Allah berkati Perak Darul Ridzuan
Allah selamatkan Negeri dan Sultan
・State: Selangor
Duli Yang Maha Mulia
Selamat di atas takhta
Allah lanjutkan usia Tuanku
Rakyat mohon restu bawah Duli Tuanku
Bahagia selama-lamanya
Aman dan sentosa
Duli Yang Maha Mulia
・State: Johore
Allah peliharakan Sultan
'Nugrahkan dia segala kehormatan
Sehat dan ria, kekal dan makmur
Luaskan kuasa, menaungkan kami
Rakyat dipimpini berzaman lagi
Dengan Merdeka bersatu hati
Allah berkati Johor
Allah selamatkan Sultan
・State: Pahang
Ya Allah Yang Maha Kuasa,
Lanjutkan Usia Duli Yang Maha Mulia,
Dirgahayu, Darul Makmur,
Aman dan Bahagia Sentiasa,
Ya Allah, Selamatkan,
Duli Tuanku Raja Kami
(2) Malaysiakini.com (http://www.malaysiakini.com)
How will state anthems be sung now?, 8 January 2008
by Ah Chong
Below is an fictitious news report which I conjured up.
‘Klang, Monday: Many schools had their first assembly after reopening for the new year. Unfortunately, following the cabinet’s meeting last Thursday, the word _ _ _ _ _ is not to be used by non-Muslims.
The word _ _ _ _ _ is only meant for Muslims as other religions using the word may confuse the Muslim population of Malaysia, according to a cabinet spokesman.
During school assemblies yesterday, students who were non-Muslims were asked to keep silent when the word _ _ _ _ _ appeared in the lyrics of their respective state anthems. Alternatively, they could replace the word with ‘Tuhan’.
This caused quite a confusion during assemblies around the states but nevertheless the students in the multiracial Malaysia adapted quickly to the change.
The authorities also said that state anthems with the word _ _ _ _ _ should have the word bleeped out when played in public. For example, the Perak state anthem should be as follows:
Dilanjutkan (bleeep!) usianya Sultan,
Adil dan murah memerintah watan,
Ditaati rakyat kiri dan kanan,
Iman yang saleh (bleeep!) kurniakan,
(Bleeep!) berkati Perak Darul Ridzuan,
(Bleeep!) selamatkan Negeri dan Sultan.
End of my fictitious report.
(3) Malaysiakini.com(http://www.malaysiakini.com)
Remove 'Allah' from state anthems, 4 January 2008
by Anthony J
Recently there has been so much of debate regarding he use of the word ’Allah’ by non-Muslims in this country. My personal opinion is that, ‘Tuhan’ is a better word to be used by the non-Muslims in this country reason being it is a Malay word and not a foreign word from Arabic.
Why should we use Arabic for Christianity in this country? We have our Bahasa Malaysia, English, Tamil and Chinese. These languages are more commonly used in our society. However the use of ‘Allah’ cannot be wrong as it only means God in Arabic. It does not solely belong to the Muslims.
This is well-known fact as it is used by non-Muslims in the Middle East, Indonesia and East Malaysia. It is merely a title to call the Almighty. It cannot be a tool to confuse anyone. As Malaysians we all know that the word ‘Allah’ is synonymous with God in Islam. This is only because it is widely used.
If the name ‘Nabi Isa’ and ‘Jesus’ means the same person, why can’t ‘Allah’ and ‘Tuhan’ be used interchangeably? All the fuss made by the authorities that the usage of the word ‘Allah’ by Christians can confuse Muslims is baseless as all Muslims know that both Islam and Christianity are two different religions with different fundamental beliefs. If one can be easily confused just by the usage of such a word then his or her strength in that faith is merely superficial.
Malaysia is a secular country. If using the word ‘Allah’ by Christians can confuse the Muslims, then I suggest that the state anthems be changed to only have Bahasa Malaysia words. The repeated use of the word ‘Allah’ in state anthems such as those of Perak, Pahang and Kedah may confuse non-Muslims.
This confusing debate can go on forever without an end. Be more matured Malaysians, and let’s live in peace. God is only One.
State anthems lyrics
≪Perak≫
Dilanjutkan Allah usianya Sultan
Adil dan murah memerintah watan
Ditaati rakyat kiri dan kanan
Iman yang saleh Allah kurniakan
Allah berkati Perak Darul Ridzuan
Allah selamatkan Negeri dan Sultan
≪Pahang≫
Ya Allah Yang Maha Kuasa,
Lanjutkan Usia Duli Yang Maha Mulia,
Dirgahayu, Darul Makmur,
Aman dan Bahagia Sentiasa,
Ya Allah, Selamatkan,
Duli Tuanku Raja Kami
≪Kedah≫
Allah selamatkan Sultan Mahkota
Berpanjangan usia di atas Takhta
Memelihara ugama Nabi kita
Negeri Kedah serata-rata
(4) Malaysiakini.com(http://www.malaysiakini.com)
Kalimah 'Allah': Bagaimana dengan kami, tanya penganut Silks(sic), 4 January 2008
by Fauwaz Abdul Aziz
Sejak berkurun-kurun lamanya, penganut Sikhs telah menggunakan kalimah 'Allah' dan 'Rahim' untuk merujuk kepada Tuhan serta istilah Arab "iman" dan "ibadat" dalam agama mereka.
Berikutan keputusan kabinet melarang semua agama, kecuali Islam, daripada menggunakan kalimah "Allah", maka apa akan jadi terhadap amalan Sikhs di Malaysia?
Ini adalah antara persoalan yang dibangkitkan oleh Ketua Majlis Gurdwara Malaysia, Harcharan Singh ketika mengulas keputusan kabinet tersebut.
“Kami telah menggunakan perkataan Allah dan Rahim, misalnya, secara meluas dalam penulisan kami dan sembahyang kami untuk merujukkan kepada Satu Tuhan. Perkataan Allah digunakan dalam kitab suci utama kami. Para guru Sikh di India telah menggunakan istilah tersebut sejak berkurun-kurun lamanya, mereka telah menjadi sebahagian daripada bahasa Punjabi, dan kami masih menggunakannya hingga ke hari ini," kata Harcharan ketika dihubungi.
Sikhs juga menggunakan perkataan ‘Khuda’ bagi Tuhan, katanya merujuk kepada istilah yang digunakan, antara lain, oleh umat Islam Bangladesh.
“Sebagai tambahan kepada perkataan-perkataan ini, kami juga menggunakan istilah iman dan ibadat (yang digunakan oleh umat Islam)," tambah Harcharan.
“Jika perkataan Allah dilarang digunakan oleh bukan Islam, apa akan jadi dengan Silks dan amalan keagamaannya?" soalnya.
Semalam, Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri, Datuk Abdulllah Mohd Zin berkata kabinet tidak membenarkan akhbar Katholik - Herald - menggunakan perkataan Allah, Solat, Kaabah dan Baitullah dalam seksyen Bahasa Malaysia akhbar tersebut.
Abdullah yang bertanggungjawab terhadap halehwal agama Islam dilaporkan berkata, perdana menteri telah mengarahkan beliau menjelaskan perkara itu supaya orang ramai tidak terkeliru.
Salah satu sebabnya, tambah beliau, ialah orang Islam di negara ini telah lama menggunakan kalimah Allah untuk merujuk kepada Tuhan.
Oleh itu, menurutnya, adalah lebih bersesuaian bagi agama lain menggunakan perkataan Tuhan dan bukannya Allah apabila merujuk kepada Tuhan dalam agama masing-masing.
Istilah bahasa Arab
Harcharan (foto) berkata, penggunaan istilah Arab dan Parsi terdapat dalam agama Silks kerana pengasas Sikhisme, Guru Nanak menjelajah secara meluas ke seluruh negara Islam.
“Saya tidak tahu sama ada larangan kerajaan terhadap penggunaan perkataa Allah oleh bukan Islam itu atas alasan politik atau agama. Tetapi jika di zaman globalisasi ini kita menghalang orang dari satu agama daripada menggunakan perkataan "milik' agama lain, saya tidak tahu ke mana kita sedang menuju...," katanya.
Herald sebelum ini diarahkan oleh Kementerian Keselamatan Dalam Negeri (KDN) supaya jangan menggunakan kalimah Allah dalam seksyen Bahasa Malaysianya.
Herald kemudiannya dimaklumkan bahawa permit penerbitannya telah diperbaharui dan editornya Father Lawrence Andrew berkata beliau menerima sepucuk surat yang membayangkan pihaknya boleh meneruskan penerbitan akhbar tersebut tanpa larangan menggunakan perkataan Allah.
Penerbitnya sebelum ini telah memfailkan writ saman di Mahkamah Tinggi Kuala Lumpur untuk mendapatkan pengisytiharan berhubung penggunaan perkataan Allah. Berita asal
(5)Malaysiakini.com(http://www.malaysiakini.com)
'Allah': What about us? ask Sikhs, 4 January 2008
by Fauwaz Abdul Aziz
For centuries, Sikhs have used the words ‘Allah’ to refer to God as well as the Arabic terms ‘iman’ and ‘ibadat’ for faith and worship.
Following the government’s ban against the usage of purportedly ‘Islamic’ terms by non-Muslims, what will happen to the practice of the Sikh religion in Malaysia?
This was among the question raised today by Malaysian Gurdwara Council head Harcharan Singh following reports that the cabinet had decided against allowing the use of the term Allah by those practicing religions other than Islam.
“We have used the terms Allah and Rahim (Most Merciful), for example, extensively in our writings and in our prayers to refer to the One God. The word Allah is used in our main holy scripture.
"Sikh gurus in India have used these terms for centuries, they have become part of the Punjabi language, and we are still using them today,” said Harcharan when contacted.
Sikhs also use the word ‘Khuda’ for God, he noted in reference to the term used, among others, by Bangladeshi Muslims.
“In addition to these words, we also use the terms 'iman' and 'ibadat' among the many other words (that are used by Muslims),” added Harcharan, whose organisation represents Sikhs in Malaysia.
“If the word Allah has been banned for use by non-Muslims, what’s going to happen to Sikhs and the practice of their religion?” he asked.
Harcharan’s (photo) comments follow on the heels of a decision announced by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Abdulllah Mohd Zin yesterday that the cabinet had disallowed Catholic publication Herald from using the words Allah (God), solat (prayer), Kaabah and baitullah (House of God) in its weekly’s Bahasa Malaysia section.
Abdullah, who oversees Islamic religious affairs, was reported today as having said the prime minister had directed him to clarify the matter so that the public would not be confused.
“One of the reasons given to uphold the restriction is because that it has long been the practice of this country that the word Allah refers to God according to the Muslim faith,” said Abdullah according to the Star.
It was only proper for other religions to use the word God and not Allah when referring to their God in respective beliefs, he added.
Poser for the government
Harcharan pointed out that the usage by Sikhs of Arabic and Persian terms normally used by Muslims is understandable given, among other facts, that Sikhism founder Guru Nanak had traveled extensively throughout Muslim lands.
Nevertheless, the issue raises a poser for the government, said Harcharan.
“I don’t know whether the basis of the government’s ban on the use of the word Allah by non-Muslims is political or religious. But if in today’s age of globalisation we are stopping people of one religion from using the words ‘belonging’ to another, I don’t know where we are heading”, he said.
Herald had earlier faced proscription following the Internal Security Ministry’s directive for it to refrain from using the word Allah in its weekly’s Bahasa Malaysia section.
Herald was later informed it’s permit had been renewed, with its editor Father Lawrence Andrew saying he had received a letter indicating it can resume printing without any restrictions.
Notwithstanding, the publisher has filed a writ of summons in the Kuala Lumpur High Court to seek declarations of use of the word Allah.
(End)
