The Malaysian Insider (http://www.themalaysianinsider.com)
Only rulers can decide on 'Allah', Islamic councils argue, 25 August 2009
by Asrul Hadi Abdullah Sani
KUALA LUMPUR; The state Islamic councils argued in the High Court today that only the Malay rulers and the King could rule on the use of the word “Allah.”
The councils were making their submissions in chambers on why the Catholic Church should not be allowed to challenge the Home Minister’s ban on Christians using the word “Allah” to refer to God in a non-Muslim context.
The respondents argued that the use of the word “Allah” could only be subjected to the “absolute discretion” of the rulers and the King as the heads of Islam and the issue therefore could not be evaluated by the court.
“The court has no jurisdiction but only the King and council of rulers do,” said lead counsel Mubashir Mansor.
The counsel pointed out that the King is also the Head of Islam in states with no rulers such as Malacca, Penang, Sabah and Sarawak. The King’s jurisdiction includes the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur, Labuan and Putrajaya.
The respondents are asking for the court to strike out the judicial review with costs.
The respondents are the Home Ministry, Malaysian government, Malaysian Chinese Muslim Association and state Islamic councils of Pulau Pinang, Terengganu, Kedah, Perak, Malacca, Johor and Federal Territories.
The High Court had allowed the state Islamic councils to intervene in the church’s suit against the Home Minister on the basis that their legal rights as advisers to the rulers, who sit as heads of Islam in their respective states, would be gravely affected by any decision taken by the court.
The 70,000-strong association, headed by Datuk Mustapha Ma, had previously argued that it was also an interested party because allowing Christians to use the word “Allah” to refer to any God but the Muslim one, would confuse its members.
However, a counsel for the Church, Annou Xavier, argued that this was a non-Islamic matter.
“But I am of the opinion that the rulers and Yang Di-Pertuan Agong are the head of Islam in their state and in Malaysia but that does not give the rulers the power of authority to govern non-Islamic issues,” Xavier said.
The church filed for a judicial review against the Home Minister in early February after receiving several letters warning it against publishing the word “Allah” outside the Muslim context in its multi-lingual newspaper, The Herald.
The Home Minister threatened to shut down The Herald by taking back their annual publishing licence if the weekly insisted on using the word “Allah”.
The church will be filing their submission in chambers on Sept 14.
(comments)
by Anon C, August 25, 2009
If the church insists that Allah be used in BM we must also insists that the bible in English change the word "GOD" to "Allah" also. After all, to them," Tuhan" is no longer a suitable substitute to "God" and only "Allah" seems sufficient. Since we dont want to be discriminatory, then we must also change rukun negara to "kerpercayaan kepada Allah" as well. All non-muslims must believe in "Allah".
This is an abosulutely ridiculous case.
by AgreeToDisagree, August 25, 2009
I think the rulers should not involve themselves at all and instead tell all parties to go their ways and keep out of each other's private business. There is such a thing as freedom of speech (and press) after all.
Islam was derived from Christianity. Christianity was derived from Judaism. Judaism was derived from Egypto Syriac Ra-Worship. It is obvious that they are all the same and do not have any roots in Malay spiritualism or "Animism Nusantarii". What is so confusing about that?
It is not a non-issue and nothing for the rulers to get involved in.
by vic, August 25, 2009
Agama Kristian yang dibawa oleh nabi isa adalah lebih awal daripada agama islam yang dibawa oleh nabi mohammad. Perkataan "Allah" adalah bahasa arab. Ramai orang arab yang beragama kristian di timur tengah juga menggunakan perkataan Allah sebelum kedatangan. Tak timbul apa-apa masalah pun. Penduduk pribumi di sabah dan sarawak yang beragama kristian sebelum kedatangan islam di rantau ini pun menggunakan perkataan Allah. Orang punjabi pun menggunakan perkataan Allah untuk Tuhan yang mereka sembah.
Perbahasan sama ada perkataan allah hanya boleh dipakai oleh penganut islam di malaysia adalah sesuatu yang sangat melucukan di seluruh dunia.
by Johnson Lee, August 25, 2009
It seems almost everything and anything can turn into controversy in Malaysia nowadays.....Hindu deities placed in Banana-leaf restaurants patronised by Muslims, Yoga ban for Muslims, teaching of Science & Maths in English language, the word 'Allah' is exclusive to Islam....the list is endless. But corruption & abuse of powers are no controversies, no Fatwa has ever been issued to make them haram (illegal) as they are mainly committed by the power that be.
by hangkasturi, August 25, 2009
when people are well fed and waxed comfortable and leisurely, they usually forget that the name of god is not the sole preserve of any one race or individual, be they emperor or labourer. remember, god and religion is for all, irrespective of race or status. it is possible to argue until the cows come home but at the end of the day, such facts still remain unchanged.
by isa rahim, August 25, 2009
The word "Allah" remains the Arabic word for God. Hence no religion, even my own, should have any right to hijack it for itself. Hence also, the suggestion of 'absolute discretion' is irrelevant and baseless.
by Steven Ong, August 25, 2009
Did I noticed that MI does not published the opinions in religious news or am I mistaken? Is this self censorship on religious matter?
Thank you.
by Steven Ong, August 25, 2009
If the Malay Rulers and King were to have the final say on all religious or political matters, then this would be the end of freedom for all man. By pushing this matter to the King and Rulers, the religious authorities are actually very cunning and dishonest in their dealing with others. As past experience and current political scene shows that the Rulers cannot be just and fair to all Malaysians. Surely as a Muslim he would side with the Islamic authorities. What cunning ploy and this shows the selfish mentality of a few self righteous men.
The truth is love. Without love you are nothing but an empty drum. If the Muslims love his neigbours ,why he would not allowed his neighbours to worshiped his God, the one and only God who created the heaven and the earth. It would be selfish not to mention wicked to deny others to love and worship the one and only Most High God.
by 88, August 25, 2009
If only the rulers could decide, then did the Home Ministry take instructions from the rulers when issuing the ban? Or did they act "ultra vires"?
(End)
