1. Malaysiakini.com (http://www.malaysiakini.com)
(1) ‘Allah' ban: Church scores initial victory, 11 November 2009
Eight parties including seven Islamic religious councils are no longer intervenors in the Kuala Lumpur Roman Catholic Church's application for a judicial review over the usage of the word "Allah".
High Court judge Lau Bee Lan ruled that based on the Federal Court ruling on Sept 3 in the case of Majlis Agama Islam Selangor vs Bong Boon Chuen & 150 others, the High Court had no jurisdiction to allow intervention in judicial review proceedings under Order 15 Rule 6(2)(b) of the Rules of the High Court 1980.
She then set aside her own order on Aug 3, allowing the eight parties to intervene in the new application by Archbishop Murphy Pakiam for a judicial review over the usage of the word "Allah" in the church's weekly publications of The Herald magazine.
The eight parties are the Islamic religious councils of Perak, Terengganu, Penang, Selangor, Kedah, Johor and Melaka, and the Malaysian Chinese Muslim Association.
The decision was made in chambers.
Court hearing to kick off on Dec 14
The church's counsel, S Selvarajah, told the media that the court fixed Dec 14 to hear the merits of the case.
Selvarajah said the court should hear the case before Dec 31 as The Herald's publication permit for 2009 would expire on Dec 31.
On Feb 16, Pakiam, as the publisher of The Herald, filed a new application for a judicial review after a similar application in 2008 was deemed academic following the expiry of The Herald's publication permit for Jan 1 to Dec 31, 2008.
In the application, naming the Home Ministry and the government as respondents, he is seeking, among others, a declaration that the decision by the respondents on Jan 7, 2009, prohibiting him from using the word "Allah" in the 'Herald-The Catholic Weekly' publication is illegal and that the word "Allah" is not exclusive to the religion of Islam.
(Bernama)
(Comment)
by Erica
We've (Malaysian) been blessing by God. The word Allah is for Everyone uses. It is not made especially for one religion. In Quran also did not mention that others cannot use this word. And in Bible also did not mention that christian people cannot used this word Allah. Actually Why was Christian people cannot use this word?
by Paola
Why they should ban this word? For god's sake..there is nothing to be worried. It is just a description.I dont understand why they love to argue over such lil thing.
by chipmunk
God Almighty, the ever Living God, God the 'I AM', Jehovah Rapha, Jehovah Sharma, Omnipotent God and many more...Every religion call on their god in their own mother tongue. God made man in His image to worship Him but man wants to play god. Well, as far as I know, God is everywhere and for EVERYONE no matter how you have been taught to call on Him. Religion is only on paper but your relationship with Him is what that counts when Judgement Day comes. Repent of your old ways and walk in His path. God bless Malaysia.
by Ahmad Kamal
As a child my religious teacher taught me that the 99 names or attributes of the Muslim Allah were also the names or attributes given by the worshippers of the stone idols in the sacred Kaabah. I was very puzzled as to how the idol worshippers came to know of these attributes before Islam came : ). Child, you have too many questions says the Esteemed One.
(2) The Herald loses permit amid 'Allah' row, 12 November 2009
Weekly Catholic newspaper The Herald has lost its publishing permit for next year amid a long-running dispute over its use of the word "Allah".
The loss of The Herald's permit comes as it prepares for a High Court hearing on Dec 14 in a legal battle between the Catholic Church and the authorities over the The loss of The Herald's permit comes as it prepares for a High Court hearing on Dec 14 in a legal battle between the Catholic Church and the authorities over the use of the world "Allah" in the paper's Malay-language section.
The government has argued that the word "Allah" should be used only by Muslims, who dominate the population of Malaysia.
"It is very confusing. One letter in August said we have the licence to print (in 2010) and the next thing is we receive a letter in September saying the permit is not approved. Something is amiss," The Herald's editor, Father Lawrence Andrew, told AFP.
Father Lawrence said the Home Ministry cancelled the new permit without any reason.
The Roman Catholic Church has waged a two-year legal battle with Malaysian authorities over the use of the word "Allah".
The priest said he had met with Home Ministry officials last month to resolve the issue but declined to elaborate.
Home Ministry officials could not be immediately reached for comment.
The Herald newspaper, circulated among the country's 850,000 Catholics, nearly lost its publishing licence last year for using the disputed word.
Asked if The Herald would be available in January 2010, he said: "I hope it will be there."
The newspaper is printed in four languages and has a circulation of 14,000 copies a week.
Strings of religious disputes
The row is among a string of religious disputes that have erupted in recent years, straining relations between Muslim Malays and minority ethnic Chinese and Indians who fear the country is being "Islamised".
Religion and language are sensitive issues in multiracial Malaysia, which experienced deadly race riots in 1969.
About 60 percent of the nation's 27 million people are ethnic Malay Muslims.
The rest of the population includes indigenous tribes as well as ethnic Chinese and Indians - practising Buddhism, Christianity and Hinduism, among others.
More than half of Malaysia's Catholics are from indigenous groups, most of whom live on the Borneo island states and who mainly speak Malay.
2. My Sin Chew (http://www.mysinchew.com)
Malaysia Catholic paper loses permit amid 'Allah' row , 12 November 2009
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 12 (AFP) - Malaysia's weekly Catholic newspaper has lost its publishing permit for next year amid a long-running dispute over its use of the word "Allah", the editor said Thursday.
The loss of The Herald's permit comes as it prepares for a High Court hearing on December 14 in a legal battle between the Catholic Church and the authorities over the use of the world "Allah" in the paper's Malay-language section.
The government has argued that the word "Allah" should be used only by Muslims, who dominate the population of Malaysia.
"It is very confusing. One letter in August said we have the licence to print (in 2010) and the next thing is we receive a letter in September saying the permit is not approved. Something is amiss," The Herald's editor, Father Lawrence Andrew, told AFP.
Father Lawrence said the home ministry cancelled the new permit without any reason.
The Roman Catholic Church has waged a two-year legal battle with Malaysian authorities over the use of the word "Allah".
The priest said he had met with home ministry officials last month to resolve the issue but declined to elaborate.
Home ministry officials could not be immediately reached for comment.
The Herald newspaper, circulated among the country's 850,000 Catholics, nearly lost its publishing licence last year for using the disputed word.
Asked if The Herald would be available in January 2010, he said: "I hope it will be there."
The newspaper is printed in four languages and has a circulation of 14,000 copies a week.
The row is among a string of religious disputes that have erupted in recent years, straining relations between Muslim Malays and minority ethnic Chinese and Indians who fear the country is being "Islamised".
Religion and language are sensitive issues in multiracial Malaysia, which experienced deadly race riots in 1969.
About 60 percent of the nation's 27 million people are ethnic Malay Muslims, who dominate the government.
The rest of the population includes indigenous tribes as well as ethnic Chinese and Indians -- practising Buddhism, Christianity and Hinduism, among others.
More than half of Malaysia's Catholics are from indigenous groups, most of whom live on the Borneo island states and who mainly speak Malay.
3. Charles Hector (http://charleshector.blogspot.com)
PAS says Muslims do not have the exclusive right of usage of the word 'Allah' - now only PKR's position is a question mark. What is the PKR position on the 'Allah' issue?, 12 November 2009
DAP and PAS have made their positions clear.
A perusal of reports indicate that there may be some differences, and as such, PAS may have to re-confirm its position. Or maybe, there is no need.
It is clear as Khalid Samad (and other PAS MPs ) told Parliament. Reading the Hansard, it is clear that it is the position of PAS. This is also what Nik Aziz was reported saying. [Go read the Hansard]
It was rather odd that '...PAS spiritual adviser Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat says the use of the word “Allah” by non-Muslims is allowed...', and then say that it was up to the Federal Government. '...He, however, added that it was up to the Federal Government to define the scope in which the word could be used, reported Bernama...' [Star, 2/3/2009, Use of the word ‘Allah’ still not defined, says Nik Aziz].
But, is not Islam a matter for the State - it is clearly under the State list in Ninth Schedule of the Federal Constitution, which states what comes within the ambit of State powers, and what comes under the Federal Government powers. Was it a case of mis-reporting?
One of the arguments is that some State enactments, even those of Pakatan Rakyat governed states still seem to say that only Muslims can use the word 'Allah'. Remember that State enactments like Federal laws can easily be amended, by simple majority I believe, and hence the failure of Pakatan governed states in doing the necessary is telling.
Why are they not amending? The simple answer is that it is 'political' - they do not want to lose the support of some of their Muslim supporters. And is that acceptable? I believe not. The failure to bring about changes for fear of loss of support is an indication of weakness on the part of the Pakatan Rakyat. I worry that it is this fear of taking clear positions on 'controversial' and/or 'sensitive' issues is one that may see the death of the hope and dream that we may one day be ruled by a better group of parties, other than the BN.
Remember also 'the people of the book' - i.e. Jews and Christians. Surely, the name of God did not change for Allah is the same God for Jews and Christians as well.
Muslims believe that God had previously revealed Himself to the earlier prophets of the Jews and Christians, such as Abraham, Moses, and Jesus.... Muslims believe that Islam is the perfection of the religion revealed first to Abraham (who is considered the first Muslim) and later to other prophets. Muslims believe that Jews and Christians have strayed from God's true faith but hold them in higher esteem than pagans and unbelievers. They call Jews and Christians the "People of the Book" and allow them to practice their own religions. Muslims believe that Muhammad is the "seal of the prophecy," by which they mean that he is the last in the series of prophets God sent to mankind.
I reproduce below some of reports I saw about this issue:-
KUALA LUMPUR, March 5 — The heated debate in Parliament today over the the usage of the word “Allah” showed a division within Pas as some of the Islamist party MPs explicitly supported the use of the word by non-Muslims.
During his winding-up speech for the motion of thanks to the King, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi reiterated the government’s stand that the word Allah cannot be used by non-Muslims, citing state enactments and gazetted decrees by Islamic authorities.
The matter was brought up by Sri Gading MP Datuk Mohamad Aziz who said that the use of the word “Allah” by non-Muslims was an attempt to insult Islam.
Kuala Selangor MP Dr Dzulkifli Ahmad of Pas later cited the Quran to show how the word “Allah” was used by the non-Muslims.
He was supported by another Pas lawmaker Shah Alam’s Khalid Samad, who argued that the word “Allah” is Arabic for God.
Zahid then asked the duo whether it was the official stand of the Islamist party, to which Khalid said it was the decision made by the party’s Islamic scholars’ wing.
Baling MP Taib Azamudin, however, disagreed with his party colleagues saying that he was more interested to defend the sanctity of Islam.
“It is illogical to argue based on the language point of view, others cannot use the word ‘Allah’,” said Taib.
In his reply, Zahid said Taib’s stand on the matter is consistent with the government’s.
“What was said by Baling is the stand of the government of Malaysia, it is the stand of Jakim (Islamic Development Department),” said the de facto Islamic Affairs minister.
The use of the word Allah by non-Muslims has been a contentious issue in Malaysia after the Catholic weekly, The Herald, challenged the government’s directive banning the publication from using the word “Allah”. - Malaysian Insider
Pas lawmakers divided over who is allowed to use the word “Allah”, 5 March 2009
SHAH ALAM : MP Shah Alam, YB Khalid Abdul Samad said the state is trying to form a government that’s clean, transparent, fair and to bring issues of the people to parliament to be debated.
He said he will issue a letter of support to the pengerusi of JKR in support of the Church of the Divine Mercy’s (CDM) road signage appeal request.
He added that beer drinking or scantily dressed ladies are not main issues. He cited corruption as a major issue. Leaders should be good models for society to follow. One of the main issues which the Selangor government wants to fulfill is a clean accountable administration. YB Khalid also touched on the state of civil servants saying money must be managed and administered properly. He expects civil servants to tell us if something is not done right and reported that in doing so they would be moving in the right direction.
YB Khalid said if the signage issue is struck off in JKR, they would need to change their old mind set.
Touching on the CDM cross issue, YB Khalid once again reiterated his support and said during his visit to Middle East he saw churches with a cross next to a mosque and it was not a problem or issue there. It all boils down to our mentality.
YB Khalid said PR have experience and knows the needs of the people (Rakyat) in the five PR states and hopes to have better understanding with the civil servants and military. We need to prepare and if we come to total victory at Federal level people will know our capability and can accept us.
A parishioner from East Malaysia who spoke in Bahasa Malaysia was happy that a procession was allowed for the feastday around the vicinity of the church but the ‘Allah’ issue is yet to be resolved. He said many Christians in Sabah and Sarawak are waiting for a response from the Federal Government through Tan Sri Bernard Dompok on this issue. He cannot understand the outcry as in East Malaysia ‘Allah’ has been used for several decades by Christians.
YB Khalid also spoke on apostasy saying no law can force a person to believe in something. For example even if someone who is born a Muslim and later believes in Buddhism, you can not do anything about it — even if the MYkad states the person as a Muslim. All this does is prevent people from declaring that they have left Islam but not preventing them from leaving the religion.
He also said he has debated in parliament on the ‘Allah’ issue as it is an Arabic word — a word common among Muslims and non-Muslims. Those who argue against those using the word ‘Allah’ are going to cause confusion with Muslims; if they truly understand Islam, they won’t be confused. He cited that the cause of the confusion is UMNO who want to use religion as a political tool to remain in power.
YB Khalid said PR needed both Muslim and non-Muslim support and said we need a holistic approach to change the education system, which has given rise to the present mentality.
The dialogue session ended at 11.15pm and Mary Magdaline, the moderator thanked the VIPs for their approachable demeanour. Parish priest Fr Paulino Miranda gave a token of appreciation to the guests at the end of the session. - Herald
PAS MP Khalid Samad supports CDM’s bid for cross and signages, 30 October 2009
KOTA BHARU, March 1 – Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat, the Pas spiritual leader and one of the country’s most respected Muslim leaders, said today that non-Muslims should be allowed to use the word “Allah.”
But he said it was up to the federal government to decide whether to allow its use by non-Muslims.
“I do not want to interfere in this matter. Let the federal government decide,” he was quoted as saying by the national news agency Bernama in Kota Baru today.
The Pas leader was responding to the intense debate over the Catholic newspaper Herald’s law suit against the federal government’s decision to ban the use of the word “Allah” in its publication.
Yesterday, the Home Ministry rescinded a government gazette issued a day earlier which allowed the conditional use of the word in Christian publications.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar said a mistake had been made and the government’s ban remained in force unless the courts decide otherwise.
The government had recently ordered a ban on the Herald's Malay edition until the court makes its decision, as part of conditions for it to be allowed to continue publishing in English, Chinese and Tamil.
Muslim groups have been up in arms over the Catholic newspaper’s use of the word “Allah” and were particularly upset when the ban was rescinded on Friday.
These Muslim groups have argued that allowing Christians to use the word “Allah” would cause confusion among Muslims.
They are also suspicious about the intent of Christians, with some accusing churches of trying to use the word “Allah” to convert Muslims.
However, the Catholic Church says the word “Allah” is being used by its members, especially those in Sabah and Sarawak, who are fluent only in the national language.
They also contend that “Allah” is the accurate translation for the word “God” as opposed to “Tuhan” which they use to mean “Lord.”
The church has also pointed to the fact that the word “Allah” is also used by Christians in the Middle East and in Indonesia. - Malaysian Insider
‘Allah’ is allowed for non-Muslims, says Nik Aziz, 3 January 2009
KOTA BARU: PAS spiritual adviser Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat says the use of the word “Allah” by non-Muslims is allowed.
He, however, added that it was up to the Federal Government to define the scope in which the word could be used, reported Bernama.
“I don’t want to interfere in this matter. Let the Federal Government decide,” he said in response to the weekly Catholic Herald’s use of the word “Allah” in its Bahasa Malaysia publication.
In Kota Kinabalu, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the Government’s decision to ban the use of the word “Allah” was not restricted to the Herald but applied to all non-Muslim publications.
On Saturday, Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar said a Feb 16 government gazette lifting a ban on Christian publications to use the word “Allah” would be rescinded.
He added there were mistakes made in the drafting of the gazette, which stated that Christian publications could use the word Allah provided the words “For Christians” were clearly printed on the cover.
Syed Hamid said the Government’s stand on the ban has not changed. - Star
Use of the word ‘Allah’ still not defined, says Nik Aziz, 2 March 2009
There is restrictions in Malaysia against proselytizing Muslims - i.e. converting Muslims, but that should not be a justification to stop Christians or others from using the word 'Allah' or other Arabic words in their own worship and religious education among its own adherents, or in their proselytizing of persons other than Muslims.
PKR has been silent on this issue. Some in PAS has come out stating that it is a 'non-issue' and use of the word 'Allah' is not exclusive to Muslims. DAP is the only Pakatan Rakyat party that has really made a clear stance. See earlier post :- DAP has made clear its position on the 'Allah' issue...what about PKR, PAS and Pakatan Rakyat?
What is the position of MCA, GERAKAN, MIC, Makkal Sakthi party.... silence seems to be their response.
4. The Malaysian Insider(http://www.themalaysianinsider.com)
Govt cancels Catholic paper's 2010 permit, 13 November 2009
by Debra Chong
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 11 – The future has just grown murkier for the country’s only Catholic newspaper, which is locked in a lawsuit against the Home Minister over the right to publish the word “Allah” to mean God for Christians.
The Malaysian Insider was told that The Herald’s publishing permit for next year was retracted recently.
Father Lawrence Andrew is the editor of The Herald. The weekly’s priest-editor, Reverend Father Lawrence Andrew, explained that the Catholic Church which publishes the multi-lingual weekly, had first applied for the annual licence in late July.
The Home Ministry had replied on Aug 5 and approved their application to publish in four languages: Bahasa Malaysia, English, Mandarin and Tamil, but rejected their request to add a new language, Kadazandusun.
The church received a second letter from the Home Ministry on Sept 3, which promptly retracted the approval given a month earlier even though the RM800 publishing fee had been paid up.
No reason was given for the rejection, Andrew said.
Instead, the Home Ministry ordered the church to disclose its bank accounts and send in the latest statement, which Andrew found odd.
“They are a licensing body for permits, not a commercial body,” he said.
The priest also said they were forced to put in a letter asking for a refund on the RM800 payment, which he also found strange.
He noted that the ministry should have returned the money automatically, and added that he would not follow the directive as it may indicate that the church agreed with the rejection.
Andrew said the church has enlisted the aide of Datuk Michael Chong, a special officer to the Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein and a church-going Catholic, to clear the confusing chain of events.
Chong responded promptly and told him the deputy home minister had “overturned” the decision to reject the church’s permit.
But there has been no breakthrough since then. Their last communication was yesterday, through an SMS exchange.
“We’re in limbo right now,” Andrew said.
(End)
