1. Malaysiakini.com （http://www.malaysiakini.com）
(1)‘Allah' ban paints bad picture of Islam, 5 March 2009
by Abdul Rahman
I refer to the Malaysiakini report Another U-turn: Ban on 'Allah' in Christian publications remains.
(Lily's note: See “Lily’s Room”dated 3 March 2009.)
It is reported that our home minister signed the order and it became effective on Feb 16 this year. This was done while a court case on the matter was undergoing judicial review.
On the administrative side, this kind of error is serious and unbecoming. This case has attracted the attention of the nation and is of national interest yet the home minister would go ahead and sign such an order.
So we have the government making another U-turn. This kind of negligence on the part of the home minister is comical and at the same time ridiculous. It is an insult to the country on how the government makes decisions.
Looks like it is up the whims and fancies of ministers to do whatever they want. Action should be taken against him for such negligence though I believe no action will be taken on the home minister as he is a top Umno leader.
From the religious perspective, I do not understand why the fuss over the ban in the first place. As a Muslim, the use of such words by other religions does not impact my faith in Allah.
Is our faith so shallow that we can succumb to other religions just because those religions use this word?
In Malaysia, other religions cannot have their dakwah activites for Muslims but in other countries, there is no such law. Are we saying that many Muslims have been converted to other religions worldwide because they are confused by the use of the word ‘Allah’ by other religions ? Do we see these very high conversion rates? Islam is the fastest-growing religion around the world and that testifies that Muslims can identify between Islam and other religions no matter what words are used.
Even in Arabic-speaking countries where this word is used, we do not hear of mass conversions or apostasy but instead, we hear of more people coming into Islam.
Having faith in Allah should be our fundamental. I've heard that this word has been used by Christians in other Arabic countries, in Indonesia and in many parts of the world.
If this is true, what is the real issue then for Malaysia? It is just the ‘language’ used? Do we need the government to help us as Muslims to protect our faith? I find this insulting as a Muslim.
Though I'm a Muslim, I'm not an Islamic scholar and am not in the position to make theological comments. However,
1. It is claimed that the word ‘Allah’ has been used before the coming of Islam and predates the Islamic era.
2, It is claimed that the word ‘Allah’ is used by non-Muslim Arabs and is still being used up to the current time by them.
3. It is claimed that the word ‘Allah’ has been used by our Christian Orang Asli all the while since colonial times.
If the answer is ‘yes’ or true to all the above questions/statements and that other religions in Malaysia are not using this word to spread their religion to the Muslims, I find that the ban is not necessary logically.
In fact, it paints a bad picture that Islam is not a tolerant religion. The problem does not lie with Islam but by people who act unwisely on the behalf of Islam with the false perception that they are protecting Muslims or Islam.
This is why Islam is so misunderstood by the non-Islamic world, especially in the West.
(2)In the name of God, 5 March 2009
by ID
I refer to the Malaysiakini report Another U-turn: Ban on 'Allah' in Christian publications remains.
The recent controversy surrounding the use of the word ‘Allah’ has blown out of proportion, following the home ministry’s decision to allow the word on publication, but not allowing it to be uttered by non Muslims.
In the eyes of the laymen, it may sound ridiculous but the judgment has been seen as a compromise to a deadlock. We can’t say that the government is insensitive to the people and their beliefs.
Still there are certain quarters that still protest in the name of religion. For a mere word, it has been taken so out of context that it has gone to court and the judgment is still unfavorable to everyone. A PKR politician has made it a personal crusade and it goes to show that Malaysia is still not free from the shackles of racial inequality.
In the interest of public harmony, the champions of Christianity should take the bold move to remove the word from publication, and declare it illegal to utter. In the bible the name of God is uttered in many ways :‘Lord God Almighty’, ‘Jehovah,’ ‘the Lord’, ‘Yahweh’ etc. Translate them into Malay and use it. ‘Tuhan’ is still available.
Why in God’s name are we fighting over the exclusive use of a word when this could lead to a potential conflict?
A verse in the Bible may be of help: ‘If a limb in your body may cause a brother to sin, it is better to cut it of, than to enter the Kingdom of Heaven with a diseased limb’.
It is in the interest of everyone to know that everyone takes their religion seriously and that’s why the government tries to protect Muslims from going astray and the Christians tries to prevent their brothers from backsliding.
And with the current political turmoil, it is a powder keg to pursue religious correctness or to provoke the majority. In light of these new developments, it would be a folly to continue the fight.
Where before the fight was with the Federal Territory Religious Department, today seven state religious departments have joined in, including the Chinese Muslim Association. Will the Council of Churches relent, should the religious councils of all 13 states join together in unison to fight for this right to use the name of God?
Believe it or not, it is human nature for the majority to assert their authority over the minority. And if by fluke, the Council of Churches wins their case, it will lead to further trampling of religious rights, by already enraged religious zealots.
It would be in the public interest to drop the case and pray for God’s guidance and perhaps in your next publication, openly declare to your Christian readers that the government has declared ‘the name of God’ illegal to be in print or to be uttered by non-Muslims.
Call on your congregation to pray fervently that one day by God’s Grace, this decree may be reversed and that the name of God may one day be uttered again freely and legally. Refrain from using the word and a segment of the people will feel vindicated, and pleased that the name of God has been for the exclusive use of a select group.
Never mind the fact that this decree only applies to Malaysia while the rest of the free world may still utter the name of God without hindrance.. We must be stoic and accept the fact that we have to give and take, in this multiracial and religious society.
Also rest assured that there are others, be they Muslims, Buddhists or Hindus, that understand and support your right to practice your faith, and who believe in your heroic fight.
In the past, we have seen the demolition of places of worship and Malaysian do sympathise with your plight and pray that this country will continue to allow everyone the freedom to worship the God of their choice.
2. Daily Express (http://www.dailyexpress.com.my)
Group launches signature drive on Allah issue, 5 March 2009
Kota Kinabalu: A group of concerned citizens have initiated a signature campaign in support of a memorandum urging the Government to review the ban on the use of the word Allah in Christian publications.
Led by senior politician Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, the group said the memorandum could be signed by all concerned citizens regardless of their religion.
Speaking to reporters at a news conference at his residence Sokid Villa here, Wednesday, Jeffrey said the campaign will run until the end of this month.
"Copies of the memorandum will be distributed to selected community leaders including from every church in all the districts throughout Sabah," he said. He said those who wish to support the campaign can also log on to www.PetitionOnline.com sabahan/petition.html.
The memorandum, would be handed over to the Prime Minister personally either in Parliament or in Putrajaya next month. According to Jeffrey who is also the organising chairman of the campaign, they have received numerous complaints from several quarters on the issue.
He said people are wondering why the Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar had a change of heart and are confused with when Minister said that there were "mistakes".
Last week Syed Hamid said the February 16 Government gazette lifting a ban on Christian publications to use the word Allah was rescinded.
He told reporters here that there were "mistakes" in the drafting of the Feb 16 gazette which states that Christian publications could use the word Allah provided the words "For Christians" are clearly printed on the front cover.
"The Government's stand on the ban has not changed. There is also a judicial review challenging the ban," Syed Hamid said adding that the Government had no intention of pre-empting any decision of the courts on the judicial review brought about by the Catholic Herald.
© Copyright 2009 Sabah Publishing House Sdn. Bhd.
3. Sun2Surf(http://www.sun2surf.com/article.cfm?id=20435)
Words Arabs use, 8 January 2008
by Eden Cafe, PJ
Mohan: Cikgu, I understand Chong took you on a three-week trip to Lebanon, Syria and Jordan. Business or holiday?
Zain: Both. You see Chong was invited by several companies in Lebanon, Syria and Jordon to talk to them about business opportunities here in Malaysia. The offered him a first-class air ticket. He asked for two economies instead. And that’s how I was able to accompany him. He knows I speak a little Arabic.
Chong: It was a good trip. An eye-opener. You guys must visit the Middle East sometimes instead of always going to Britain and the US.
Mohan: So, Chong, how were the Arabs?
Zain: Mohan, if you were there at the airport in Amman you would see Chong talking to those guys who came to send us off like he was a Muslim.
Azman: Really? How?
Zain: He greeted them with assalaamualaikum (peace be unto you) and responded to their greetings with wa alaikum saalam (and unto you be peace) as if he has been doing that all his life.
Chong: Well, after almost three weeks one sort of got used to it. Not at first. When we landed in Beirut and were greeted with assalamualaikum by those who came to welcome us I hesitated. Well, Cikgu’s response was spontaneous. After all he has been doing it all his life. But when they looked at me and Cikgu, too, looked at me and nodded, I responded with the de rigueur wa alaikum saalam in a low voice, almost inaudibly. Cikgu smiled his approval but the others didn’t even notice that I hesitated.
Mohan: I am sure by the end of the day after meeting more people you didn’t hesitate anymore. You were almost like a Muslim.
Chong: You are right after that first encounter with the Arabs at Beirut airport, I didn’t hesitate anymore. In fact I also used, like them, alhamdulillah (praise be to Allah) quite a lot.
No, you are wrong in saying that I used those phrases like a Muslim.
You see, Mohan, many of us think all Arabs are Muslims. Many of them are but there are also a good number of Christians. While there are also Catholics and Protestants, in Lebanon there are also Maronite Christians. And there are also those who Muslims refer to as the original Christians.
Azman: And you met the Christian Arabs?
Chong: Why, yes. I discovered only later that the group that came to meet us at the airport were Muslims as well as Christians. The PR guy – a former journalist – who was among them was a Maronite Christian. His name is Tawfiq.
Mohan: I thought that’s a Muslim name?
Zain: It’s a popular name among the Arabs, regardless whether their religion is Islam or Christianity. There are many popular names like that used by all religious groups. Remember Tariq Aziz, the former foreign minister and vice-president of Saddam Hussein. He was a Chaldean Catholic.
Azman: I wonder whether it is not confusing to the Arabs.
Zain: What do you mean?
Azman: How do they know that the Tawfik they are meeting is a Muslim or a Christian?
Zain: They don’t usually. But those who live in the same neighbourhood, of course, know.
Mohan: If I have a son, do you think there will be much objection if I were to call him Tawfiq or Aziz or Yousouf?
Zain: I don’t see why anyone would object. After all names like Marina are becoming popular among Muslims as well as Christians. So is Sofia, Sofiah or Sophia. There is also Danial. So I don’t think there is anything wrong with you naming your son Tawfiq. After all, what’s in a name?
Chong: You know before going to Lebanon I had always thought the poet Khalil Gibran was a Muslim. He was a Maronite Christian. We went to Bsharri up in the Lebanon Mountains to visit the former Mar Sarkis Monastry in which his body is entombed. Cikgu, you want to tell them what you told me then?
Zain: Tawfiq was the one who drove us up. On the way he took a wrong turning and ended up in a village. He stopped at the church and went in to ask for directions. I noticed a huge sign board saying in Arabic beitullah, house of God or house of Allah. Wow! While I was gaping at the sign Tawfiq came out of the church with a priest. He salaamed us and shook our hands. Just before we drove off he said Allah maakum (Allah or God be with you).
Azman: So are you going to use those phrases you had become so familiar with in the Middle East here?
Chong: Not on your life.
・Zainon Ahmad is the Political Editor at theSun. Comments: feedback@thesundaily.com
(End)
