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Why not use Iban word for Allah in Bible translation?

Thank you Michelle Lee Su-Lin for quoting a passage of the Iban bible. I now understand the motive of the ban, although I still do not understand why the authorities have not disclosed this.

The passage goes like this: Apin dunya nyadi, Jako endang udah bisi. Iya enggau Allah Taala, lalu iya endang Allah Taala. Kenyau ari mula kelia, Jako endang enggau Allah Taala. Ulih iya Allah Taala ngaga samoa utai; nadai siti utai ti udah digaga tau nyadi enti enda ulih iya.

Well, as Michelle stated, the passage is not directly understandable to Malays, even though some of the words seem familiar. But the real eye-catcher is the words " Allah Taala ". I presume that these are used to translate "Almighty God". See now? Of all the Iban words available, why in the world did they (the translators) feel the urge to use Arab words?

It is therefore an insult to the Muslim community when Christians equate the Muslim Allah to the Christian God(s). It is as simple as that. It is also a well-known fact that Christian missionaries in Malaysia use this "abuse of terms" to better persuade Muslims (or would-be Muslims, like the Ibans) to embrace Christianity. The confusion effected is total for those without a clear understanding of the issue.

The solution: use another term, preferably in Iban, to replace the words " Allah Taala ". Frankly, I wish the authorities had explained the real issue, instead of allowing "less informed" persons like Michelle to complain of "religious intolerance".

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