1.MICAH MANDATE (http://www.themicahmandate.org)
(1) Media statement
CCM RESPOSE TO CONDITIONAL USE OF ‘Allah’
Posted on 27 February 2009 by Editor
The Council of Churches of Malaysia (CCM) welcomes the confirmation by the Government of Malaysia that the word “Allah” may be used by a religion other than Islam. This is implicit in the Internal Security (Prohibition On Use of Specific Words on Document and Publication) Order 2009, (“Order”) made pursuant to Section 22(1)(c) of the Internal Security Act 1960 which reads as follows:-
“2.(1) The printing, publication, sale, issue, circulation and possession of any document and publication relating to Christianity containing the words “Allah”, “Kaabah”, “Baitullah” and “Solat” are prohibited unless on the front cover of the document and publication are written with the words “FOR CHRISTIANITY”.
(2) The words “FOR CHRISTIANITY” referred to in subparagraph (1) shall be written clearly in font type Arial of size 16 in bold.
This Order, which is dated 21 January 2009, came into operation on 16 February 2009.
However the wording of the order causes great concern and gives rise to several questions. Firstly, why is there a specific Order in relation only to the Christian religion? The Sikh religion, for example, also refers to “Allah” in their sacred texts. By virtue of the wording of this Order, they will still be prohibited from using the word “Allah”.
Secondly, all of a sudden, people in possession of such documents and publications are now in a position of being in possession of a prohibited document unless they take action to ensure that the words “UNTUK AGAMA KRISTIAN” or “FOR CHRISTIANITY” in font type Arial of size 16 in bold are placed on its front cover. This is an unfair imposition and an unwarranted restriction on the practice of the Christian religion in this country. By making prohibited something which was hitherto not prohibited, the Order constitutes retrospective penal legislation that violates Article 7 of the Federal Constitution. Under Section 44A of the Internal Security Act 1960,
“Any person guilty of an offence against this Part for which no special penalty is provided shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine not exceeding one thousand ringgit or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year or to both.”
Thirdly, the introduction of conditions as a pre-requisite to the use of the aforementioned words still constitutes a limitation on the freedom of religion as guaranteed by Article 11 of the Federal Constitution. This situation is unacceptable.
We regret that the Government of Malaysia did not see fit to engage with us before introducing this Order.
We call on the Government of Malaysia to accept that the use of the term “Allah” is a heritage that belongs not just to one religion. We further urge the Government of Malaysia not to attempt to regulate or circumscribe its use through the introduction of pre-conditions and by punitive criminal legislation.
Rev. Dr. Hermen Shastri
General Secretary
Council of Churches of Malaysia
27th February 2009
(2) 1989 Affirmation To The Churches In Malaysia
Posted on 02 March 2009 by Editor
On the 6th to 9th of September 1989, the Christian Federation of Malaysia met in consultation in Kuching, Sarawak to consider the restriction sough to be imposed by law in various States on the use by non-Muslims of certain words and expressions in Bahasa Malaysia and the increasing difficulties encountered with the relevant authorities in the publication, distribution and importation of the Alkitab and other Christian literature particularly in Bahasa Malaysia and Bahasa Indonesia.
In view of the current developments, it would be timely to revisit the affirmation adopted during the 1989 Kuching Consultation:
An Affirmation To The Churches In Malaysia
CHRISTIANS IN MALAYSIA, together with the rest of the nation, are COMMITTED to Bahasa Malaysia as our national language and have used and continue to use Bahasa Malaysia in the life and witness of our Churches and Christian organizations.
LEADERS OF CHURCHES represented in the CHRISTIAN FEDERATION OF MALAYSIA (CFM) met in consultation at Kuching, Sarawak from the 6th to the 8th of September, 1989 to consider the restriction sough to be imposed by law in various States on the use by non-Muslims of certain words and expressions in Bahasa Malaysia and the increasing difficulties encountered with the relevant authorities in the publication, distribution and importation of the Alkitab and other Christian literature particularly in Bahasa Malaysia and Bahasa Indonesia.
Having deliberated at length and in depth on these matters and their effect on Christians in Malaysia, THE CHURCH LEADERS present at THE KUCHING CONSULTATION wish to inform and assure all Christians in Malaysia that
1. The restrictions sought to be imposed are contrary to the Federal Constitution and objectionable in law as are the various administrative actions and measures taken to deny access to Christian literature in Bahasa Malaysia and Bahasa Indonesia;
2. We have a right and are entitled to use the national language Bahasa Malaysia, in its entirety as with any other language without any distinction on the grounds of differing faith;
3. All efforts will be taken to inform the relevant authorities and the people who have influence on public policy of our stand and to seek ways to have the restrictions revoked and to pursue a fairer and just implementation of administrative measures in the case of religious material.
WE REAFFIRM our stand to continue our use of Bahasa Malaysia in its entirety;
RESTATE our solidarity as Christians facing together whatever may arise on account of our stand and conviction;
AND URGE all Churches to be vigilant and unceasing in prayer for wisdom on the part of all concerned to amicably resolve this serious issue and for the maintenance of a united, harmonious and peaceful nation where justice, human rights and human dignity are upheld at all times.
Issued by Leaders of Churches at
The Kuching Consultation, September 1989
and released by the
Executive Committee of Christian Federation of Malaysia
2. Jakarta Post. com (http://old.thejakartapost.com)
Opinipn, 6 March 2009
KL to restore Allah ban for Christians -- March 3, p. 3
The Malaysian government will issue a new decree restoring a ban on Christian publications using the word "Allah" to refer to God, officials said. Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar said a Feb. 16 decree that let Christian publications use the word, as long as they specified the material was not for Muslims, was a mistake, the national Bernama news agency reported.
The about-turn came after Islamic groups slammed the government and warned that even conditional use of the word by Christians would anger Muslims in the largely Muslim-populated country.
Your comments:
Since the first portion of the Bible was translated into the Malay language and printed in the year 1629, Bibles in Malay, and later in Indonesian, have all used the name Allah in reference to God.
The first complete translation of the Malay Bible was translated by the Dutch scholar, Dr. Melchoir Leijdecker with the assistance of native Malay speakers, and printed in 1733.
From that time forward, all full translations of the Malay and Indonesian Bibles, including the famous translations of 1879, 1912, 1938, and finally the present day standard Bible used in Indonesia (the TB or Terjemahan Baru edition) have all used Allah.
This is in keeping with the long-standing pre-Islamic usage of Allah by Arab Christians centuries before the birth of the Prophet Mohammad.
The Prophet Mohammad never claimed to have received from God a new or unique name for God. Like the other names found in the Koran, such as Musa for Moses, Ibrahim for Abraham, and Maryam for Mary, the Koran simply used names for God and His prophets that were known to Arabic-speaking peoples long before the birth of the Prophet Mohammad.
Travis
Washington
3. The Star Online (http://thestar.com.my)
(1) Seeking an end to ‘Allah’ row, 6 March 2009
BOTH Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and the MPs from both benches agreed that the debate on the use of the word “Allah” in non-Muslim publications should not be prolonged.
Dr Ahmad Zahid was winding-up the motion of thanks on the Royal Address on points relating to his ministry when the debate turned into the issue
Dr Ahmad Zahid, Deputy Speaker Datuk Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar and the MPs then asked Datuk Taib Azzamuddin Mohd Taib (PAS-Baling) who is also the former imam of the National Mosque, to give an explanation. Taib said the usage is confined to tauhid (oneness with Allah) which only exists in Islam.
© 1995-2009 Star Publications (Malaysia) Bhd (Co No 10894-D)
(2) No need to quarrel over God’s name, 6 March 2009
I AM very impressed with the conciliatory and practical words of Eric Manuel in his letter “Allah or Tuhan, it doesn’t matter” (The Star, March 5). I, too, hope there is a peaceful solution to the issue of how we should refer to God.
God has given mankind many languages and has allowed us to praise Him in our own words and thoughts. When the Oscar winner A. R. Rahman used the Tamil word Iraivvan upon receiving the award recently, it was obvious to Hindus, Muslims, Christians and others that he was referring to the same Creator.
Likewise, in many countries people use any one of the several attributes of God in their daily lives, and it is unmistakably clear to others that they are referring to the same Supreme Being.
In a multi-racial country, it is important to have an understanding of other religions so that it does not become a cause for disharmony and dissension.
If we set aside our prejudices and do an independent investigation of religions, we would be grateful that God has given us religions for our peace, security and social order, not for us to use it to cause discord, conflicts or political disorder.
We would be amazed to find more similarities than differences in all the religions, although the same teachings may be expressed in different words in different scriptures.
The spiritual aspect like love, justice, compassion, worship, peace is the same in all religions and universally applicable, and has been immutable through all ages. The social part determining the customs and traditions such as dietary habits and women’s rights, vary according to geographical location, and communal needs of the time.
It is these features that have often led people to interpret differences rather than espouse the greater unifying spiritual aspect.
In short, I subscribe to the belief that God is one and religion is one, so there is no need to quarrel over His name. What is more important is whether we live by His prescriptions.
KAY ARR,
George Town.
© 1995-2009 Star Publications (Malaysia) Bhd (Co No 10894-D)
4. Malaysiakini.com（http://www.malaysiakini.com）
Church activists launch signature drive for 'Allah' term, 5 March 2009
by Joe Fernandez
Sabah church activists led by Dr Jeffrey Kitingan have launched a signature campaign to persuade the federal government to rescind the ban on the use of the term Allah by Christians in prayer, song, worship and in print.
Allah has 98 other names but so far neither the Home Ministry nor the church has made this an issue.
“The campaign will run until March 29 and anyone, irrespective of faith, can sign in support of the campaign,” Jeffrey at a packed press conference yesterday at Sokid Villa, his residence in Kota Kinabalu. “Besides the hard copy, the signature campaign is also available online.
“We will submit a memorandum together with all the signatures, at the end of the campaign, to Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in Putra Jaya.”
He also wants Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar to clarify his warning in recent days that those (Christians) using Allah in print would be cited under the Internal Security Act and not the Press, Printing and Publications Act.
Jeffrey, a younger brother of Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Joseph Pairin Kitingan, is also a national vice-president of PKR (Pakatan Keadilan Rakyat) and chairperson of the recently launched Borneo Heritage Foundation.
Co-organiser Ronnie Klassen, a businessman, expressed confidence that the online version of the signature campaign will attract support from the Vatican and the international community for “an issue that is very dear to all Christians as it is to members of the two other Abrahamic faiths, Judaism and Islam”.
“The flip-flop on Allah by the Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar is tantamount to telling Christian Malaysians that they have no voice and no place in the mainstream,” said Klassen. “We feel hurt, insulted and ridiculed by a government that only believes in its righteousness.”
Drafted by lawyers
The memorandum which will accompany the signatures collected during the campaign, both hard copy and online, is expected to address Home Ministry’s fears that “Muslims will be confused if Christians too use the term Allah for God”, according Klassen. It will be drafted by lawyers so that “it doesn’t run foul of any laws”.
Essentially, the memorandum will present strong historical evidence which will defeat the Malaysian Government’s arguments against Christians using the term Allah. The history of the subject apparently shows that Allah was the chief of the pagan deities before the Abrahamic faiths.
There have been suggestions from officials that while Muslims and Christians worship one God, it is not the same God and besides “Islam does not have the concept of the God of the Trinity i.e. three-in-one ... God the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost”. There have also been suggestions that Allah was in fact only used by Christians in the Middle East after they converted from Islam.
Supporters of the signature campaign are taken aback by “the appalling ignorance of the home minister on the issue” but expressed gratitude that the Muslim community has by and large remained silent so far on the issue. “Even if they don’t support us on this matter, at least they are not opposed,” said a Perakian who signed the hard copy of the campaign. “The mainstream Malay media does not have that much support from the Muslim community on the issue against the church.”
Another supporter, a university tutor from Kuala Lumpur who gave his name simply as Chen, confided that he personally “wouldn’t use the word Allah in church since it would stick in my throat”.
“When I was in mission school, I never heard any Christian mentioning Allah. But then, there was no reason to do that since we either prayed in Latin in those days or English. In Latin, God was Pater Nosta which means Our Father,” said Chen who admitted that he now keeps a good distance from the church and any religion. “In English too, God was either God or Our Father or God our Father.”
“Many Roman Catholics during my schooldays prayed either to Mary, Jesus or the saints, not God himself. Perhaps it is still the same.”
“The issue of Allah has only arisen because of the Malay language and the other native languages and dialects.”
Variations of Allah
Arine, a housewife from Sarawak who supports the campaign, wonders whether Allahtalla – the Bidayuh term for God - is banned as well.
Variations of Allah in other languages, according to Wikipedia, include Ala, Anla (Chinese); Allach (Greek); Allah (Hebrew and Hindi); Ara, Arra, Arrafu (Japanese); Alla (Maltese and Korean); Annax, Allakh (Serbian, Ukrainian, and Bulgarian); Alah, Anax (Serbian, Belarusian and Macedonian).
One Sarawak Muslim, Awang Hussein, who begs to differ blames the home minister for “creating a problem from a non-issue”.
“Since that journal - the Herald – is in Bahasa (Malay), it should stick to using the Bahasa word for God which is Tuhan. Why Allah? Unless they want to deliberately confuse people or want to play politics. I believe that they are trying to do both,” said Hussein. “Allowing them to use Allah in the first place is Syed Hamid’s biggest mistake his entire political career. He alone decided on it. He was not man enough to admit it but put the blame on his ministry staff.”
Hussein doesn’t believe that the word Allah pre-dated Islam, as pointed out by Christians, and believes “the claim is totally unsubstantiated and mere hearsay”.
Christian use of the term Allah for God is a matter in court but many members of the faith fear the case may not come up at all or the verdict may be against them without a written judgment which may be left hanging without a deadline.
Malays, as defined by the federal constitution, are not allowed by law to profess any other religion besides Islam. The Home Ministry ostensibly fears that since the al-Quran is almost wholly a re-affirmation of the Old Testament and the Bible, Muslims may “become confused and weakened in their faith” if Christians use the word Allah for God when praying, preaching, writing or speaking in the Malay language even if among themselves. Christian and other non-Muslim groups charge that “not enough credit is being given to the Malays for their intelligence”.
Malays must also not be seen as “going against Islam”, and this factor alone has often sorely tested the faith of practicing Muslim members of the Judiciary in the past on matters involving faith and sowed widespread public dissatisfaction over court rulings especially on matters that brought the syariah (path of God or Islamic law) into conflict with civil law, secularism and the Federal Constitution.
(End)
