A senior pastor of Sidang Injil Borneo (SIB) has advised Christians to pray and ‘allow God to intervene’ in the tussle over the use of the word ‘Allah’.

"There will be no candlelight vigils, protests or whatever. We urge all Christians to pray so that the government will allow us to use the word,” said SIB Semenanjung president Pastor Daniel Raut ( below ) said this morning.

NONE "We are mobilising our church members to pray. This is the right way and spirit to face the problem. God will intervene in this matter."

On Dec 31, the Kuala Lumpur High Court declared that the Home Ministry's ban on the use of the word 'Allah’ by a Catholic weekly magazine is "illegal, null and void".

Last week, however, the Home Ministry obtained a stay of execution by consent from the publisher of Herald, pending an appeal. Eight churches have since been attacked .

Daniel said the ban does not stop Christian communities from using the word ‘Allah’ in worship.

"It is our right to use the word 'Allah". We have been using it since before Merdeka (Independence) in our songs, sermon and literature. I do not see why we can’t use it now," he said.

He was at the KL High Court today for a case contesting the seizure of CDs belonging to Melanau native Jill Ireland Lawrence Bill.

NONE The items, brought in from Jakarta, contain the word ‘Allah’.

Also present were his deputy Pastor Simon Petrus Marcus ( centre ) and National Anglican Federation executive secretary Alfred Tais ( left ).

‘No problems before’

Asked to describe the feelings of his congregation, Daniel said they are unhappy that there is conflict over the use of ‘Allah’.

Pressed as to whether he thinks the government is being narrow minded, he said: “The government may have its reasons for doing so but for us, just let us use the word within the congregation.

“We have not faced any problem in using the word before. I cannot see how we can worship in BM (Bahasa Malaysia) without using the word.”

seremban church door burned 110110 02 Formed in East Malaysia, SIB has 31 churches operating in Bahasa Malaysia, three in English and two in the Chinese language.

Lawyer Lim Heng Seng described the situation as "interference in the affairs of churches".

Daniel was also asked to comment on a statement by Sabah Justice of the Peace Council president Clarence Bongkos Malakun that Christians, particularly Catholics, should use ‘Tuhan’ instead of ‘Allah’ for the sake of harmony in society.

Responded Daniel: "He is not a pastor but a politician. He has a right to speak but I do not think he can speak on behalf of us."