It is shocking to learn that the prime minister has announced that the Bible can be printed in Bahasa Malaysia with the proviso that it is stamped on the front cover 'Not for Muslims'.

Not allowing the Bible, up till now, to be published and distributed in the national language is unconstitutional in the first place, and should be regarded as religious persecution. It is not largesse on Pak Lah's part to allow the publication; what he did is simply in line with our constitution, which guarantees freedom of worship.

However, it is an insult to Christians to have their Bible stamped 'Not for Muslims' because the message of Christ is for all of humanity, with no exceptions. Furthermore, the directive that Bibles should be stamped 'Not for Muslims' is, to my mind, blasphemous.

Even though it may not be congruent with Umno's divisive modus operandi , the Bible, according to Islam, is Allah's revelation to his creation through the prophets and the teachings therein. The Koran is a continuation of Allah's revelation.

The Holy Koran, Al-Imran 3:3 says: 'He has verily revealed to you this Book, in truth and confirmation the Books revealed before, as indeed He had revealed the Torah and the Gospel'.