'After such a long time, we from the Land Below the Wind, are no longer allowed to use the term ‘Allah'. We paid the price for joining Tanah Melayu.'

PM tells Muslims not to 'heat up' Allah issue

Land Below The Wind: Since when did we borrow the term ‘Allah' from Bahasa Melayu? Why are people blind? ‘Allah' is not exclusive for Islam only. We borrowed the terms ‘Allah' or even ‘Tuhan' from Bahasa Indonesia. When Christianity came to Borneo, long before the creation of the Malaysian federation, we were already using religious materials from Indonesia.

Dr Mahathir Mohamad needs to stop talking! I'm so sad that he doesn't know the real history. I cannot imagine the feelings of my own people. After such a long time, we are no longer allowed to use the term ‘Allah'. We paid the price for joining Tanah Melayu.

Unjust: It looks like the High Court verdict will be overturned sooner than you can imagine. It is absolutely certain that the verdict will be overturned to satisfy the religious bigots. It can be done at their fingertips. They have all the power and money to overturn any case that challenges Umno.

Christ Follower: In order to see clearly, we need to step back of our religious beliefs and take a look at the word itself. ‘Allah' is an Arabic word for ‘God'. It is interesting to note that today the Arab Christians uses the word ‘Allah-Al Ab' (which means God the Father) to distinguish between Arab Christians and Arab Muslims. Why did the issue of using ‘Allah' arise in the Middle East? Simply because it is a word of a language.

The view that there is ‘confusion' is mainly coming from politicians and certain quarters, and not from the whole Muslim population. If we cannot have mutual respect for each another, how are we going to realise ‘1Malaysia'? This issue has been blown out of proportion. In my opinion, it is not religion-related at all.

So many countries are trying to develop their competitive advantage and here we are focusing on issues which are trivial and wasting the rakyat's money. I guess the Home Ministry has nothing better to do.

Maggie Lim: My Muslim friends tell me they have no problem with the Catholics using the word ‘Allah' as they understand it means ‘God' in Arab. A Muslim asked how would Christians feel if Muslims use the word ‘Jesus' just like how The Herald is using the term ‘Allah'. As a Christian, I have no problem with that. In fact, I say ‘praise God' that you would want to use it.

Tkc: This was indeed a ‘frivolous' and ‘small' matter until some idiotic Umno politicians decided to out-Islam PAS. Before the issue surfaced, the majority of us did not even know that The Herald uses the word ‘Allah' in its publication. Someone lit the fire, stoked it and now it is threatening to get out of control.

The only solution is to let the matter rest. You have done it for more serious cases before. Not to worry, we have short memories unless you keep reminding us about it.

Watchman: Actually the word 'Allah' is not an issue with Muslims in Malaysia. It is played up by Umno. None of my Muslim friends have any problems with the term 'Allah' used by non- Muslims. I believe it is used by Umno to score points and create tension amongst peace-loving Malaysians. They are trying to lead us down the road to ruin, ignoring so many major issues affecting the country today.

1Maksiat: In Egypt, in all the celebrations ranging from Eid for the Muslims to Christmas for the Catholics and Copts, the word ‘Allah' is used to denote that supreme and singular divinity, God. Catholics and Copts alike exclaim ‘Masha-allah', ‘Wallahi', ‘ya-Rabbi', ‘Wallah-u allam', and of course ‘Allahuakbar' day in, day out, everywhere they go.

The Coptic taxi driver blares out ‘By Allah, can't you see where you are parking?' as he dodges the obstacle ahead. The Catholic shopkeeper bemoans ‘Ya Allah, ya Allah! You can only offer me two pounds for the scarf? Wallahi, my mother would die if she heard that! Ya-Rabbi, ya-Rabbi!'

Yet in Malaysia, yet another non-issue has been brewed to a scandal-level for no reason except to create tension for Umno's evil objectives. Sigh.

Victor Johan: You may want to view what the Gurdwara Council in Malaysia feels about this issue, a video done by one of Malaysiakini citizen journalists. See video in Malaysiakini.tv or YouTube.

Jeremy Tan: The economy has not fully recovered. The government has run out of money and is trying to raise money via the controversial GST (goods and services tax). Crime is rampant. Corruption is rampant. The judiciary and the MACC? Well, you get the idea. And they are all fighting on the use of the word ‘Allah'.

The Independent Cow: The legal system is so corrupted to the extent of allowing non-Muslims to preach to Muslims, although not allowed by the constitution. The main reason to use the word 'Allah' is to write Christian articles in Malay then use the word ‘Allah' in the writings so that the Malays will get confused and accept the Christian's God as no different to one and only God in Islam.

‘Surah 112 - Al-Ikhlas: 1. Say: He is Allah, The One and Only; 2. Allah, the Eternal, Absolute; 3. He begetteth not, Nor is He begotten; 4. And there is none Like unto Him.'

This is opposite to the Christian idea of the Godhead, ‘the Father', ‘the only-begotten Son', etc. So Christians should stick with the terms ‘Father' and ‘Son' and not use ‘Allah' to preach in Malaysia.

Ahmad Iqhbal: What is it in a name? ‘Lord', ‘God', ‘Allah'. The Creator has done his job and gone on His way..What's left is plain faith in Him. His presence dwells silently in each of our hearts always. We believe in Him and seek His Guidance and His forgiveness, when we are most vulnerable.

The rest is left to the interpretation of bigots, opportunists and politically-tainted mortals.