As for the term "Anak Allah", please see the note No.47 on the page 38 of my article (elib.doshisha.ac.jp/cgi-bin/retrieve/sr_bookview.cgi/U_CHARSET.utf-8/BD00011886/Body/r002000010003.pdf). (Lily)
Malaysiakini.com（http://www.malaysiakini.com）
(1) Respect sanctity of the term 'Allah', 23 February 2009
by Awas
I refer to Malaysiakini report Ministry to probe Herald use of 'Allah' despite ban.
In my humble opinion as a practising Muslim, the use of the term ‘ Allah’ by other Christian groups, including the Herald, should not be allowed at all.
From my own little understanding of Islam, I feel the use of the term ‘Allah’ by Christians is considered outrageously blasphemous, considering the fact that its use has been in the context of the Christian concept of the ‘Trinity’ as opposed to the Muslim concept of Tawheed - the Oneness of God.
As a Muslim, that intrinsic feeling and faith about the sanctity of the word ‘Allah’ had never been challenged until one experience that I find it hard to forget. Let me relay it briefly
A few years ago I was in Bario, Sarawak, attending a social function organised by a local community leader and attended by several hundred local people. The event took place at a public community hall at about 9pm.
As the Bario community is largely a Christian community, the opening prayer recital was based on the Bible and in Bahasa Malaysia too. As I was listening attentively to the prayer being said, I was taken aback to hear the word Allah and anak Allah being mentioned several times.
I was really offended and thought of standing up and correcting the host and to prevent him from repeating the words ‘anak Allah’. Realising that my reaction would cause a commotion, I decided to restrain myself.
For any practising Muslim, the words ‘anak Allah’ are very offensive, blasphemous and an unforgivable sin as Allah himself said in the Quran: ‘He begets not nor is He begotten’
If the Catholic publication Herald or any other Christian group is adamant about using the term ‘Allah’, I am certain this is going to create tension, anxieties and uneasiness among Muslims.
I therefore agree with the government’s decision to ban Christian groups from using the word ‘ Allah’. The Christians must respect the sanctity that the Muslims hold dearly with regard to the name ‘Allah’.
This is to ensure peace and tranquility between Muslims and Christians in this peaceful country of Malaysia.
(2) Other Christian denominations not using 'Allah', 25 February 2009
by Saad Hashim
With regards to Malaysia's Catholic Church wanting to use the term 'Allah' for God in its mouthpiece, the Herald, I must say that the organisation's intention is far from godly and Muslim organisations have every reason to get angry.
The decision to use the word 'Allah' can only mean that the Church, which is in a competition with other Catholic denominations including America's Church of the Latter Day Saints, or the Mormons to enlist new members, is trying to target Muslims in this country.
My question is does the Catholic Church realise that by insisting on the word ‘Allah’ for God, it is going to get into a deeper muddle.
For instance, since the Catholic Church believes in the 'Trinity' ie, God, the Holy Son and the Holy Ghost, is it going to use the term 'Anak Allah' for the ‘Son of God’?
The Muslims here may find it quite palatable if the Orthodox Church of Russia, Serbia, Greece, Cyprus or Romania want to use the word ‘Allah’ because these churches do not believe in the concept of the Trinity.
I believe the Orthodox Church also believes in the Unitary of God and regards other Catholic denominations as ‘deviant teachings’.
I would also want to ask the Malaysian Catholic Church if whether the word ‘Allah’ is being used by all Catholic countries like Ireland, France, Italy and all the Catholic churches in the US, UK, Australia and those in Latin America. Hello, I don't think so.
If the Catholic Church of Malaysia still wants to pursue this matter, have they consulted other Catholics and also the Pope because all the Catholic teachings must come from the Vatican.
And finally, if the Anglicans, the Methodists, the Southern Baptists, the Mormons, the Lutherans, and the myriad of other Christian denominations are not using the word ‘Allah’ for God, why are Malaysia's Catholics insisting on using it?
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