YOURSAY ‘Or is the language reserved just for a special group of people?’
Isma questions BM ad for Easter Musical
JJ: I am confused now. Is Bahasa Malaysia our national language? If it is, what is the big fuss then? Why can't Malaysians honour and use Bahasa Malaysia?
Is it reserved for a special group of people only? By the way, many of the Christians in Malaysia come from Sabah and Sarawak, and they use Bahasa Malaysia in their daily lives.
So Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (Isma), do not be over sensitive on the usage of Bahasa Malaysia in Christianity.
Bad Head: Isma Seremban chief Zamani Ibrahim, do you mean Muslims can’t read English?
Lamborghini: Isma and other similar groups have become paranoid and illogical. They are showing their ignorance and exhibiting their arrogance.
On one hand, the government is pushing for everyone to use Bahasa Malaysia. Even schools now teach Science and Maths in Bahasa Malaysia.
And now when a church uses a poster in Bahasa Malaysia, it is considered wrong. It just shows the insecurity and the stupidity of these people who seems to have nothing better to do but to go around finding fault with others and seeking to restrict their religious freedom.
I thought PM Najib Razak just pronounced that there is no place for extremism?
Ratbatblue: This just shows how paranoid these NGOs have become. Perhaps there’s a system in place in which they have to come up with this many policy statements per given period of time to justify financial support from the authorities that be.
Christian services are regularly conducted in Tamil and Chinese dialects depending on the predominance of the race in the parish, or the location of the church.
According to Zamani’s theory, this an attempt to convert all Indians and Chinese to Christianity. What an "enlightened" logic.
Going by the practice of Bahasa Malaysia being the common language spoken by the different races to one another in the common marketplace, the advertisement in Bahasa Malaysia would be perfectly admissible.
Or, what if some Christians could not speak English? Our friend assumes that all Muslims spoke only Bahasa Malaysia, and none would understand English. So the use of English is safe, as far as the proselytising of Muslims go?
NewMalaysia: It’s an open secret that advertisements, banners and street buntings must be in Bahasa Malaysia if they are to be approved and licenced by the local authorities.
In this case, Isma should have checked with Majlis Bandaraya Seremban which approved the licence before accusing the Agape Community Church.
Kit Carson: I am a Muslim. I have a lot of Christian, Hindu and Chinese friends and of course a lot of Muslim friends too. We visit one another; we go for their functions and parties. My children follow suit. What is Isma talking about?
The Observer: By the same logic, every Islamic notice must be in Jawi only, not in English, Chinese, Tamil, Iban or Kadazan. Don't confuse or try to convert the non-Muslims.
EvenSteven: What is it about Christianity that they are afraid of?
Speaking Sense: Thank you Isma, for giving free publicity to this wonderful Easter event. What is wrong with churches encouraging non-Christians (not Muslims) to attend their events?
Is any law being broken here? Is Bahasa Malaysia only for Malays? I used to think it was the official language for Malaysians of all races.
So we can say goodbye to this 1Malaysia lie? Is my tax money also given to these morons?
Onyourtoes: Seriously Isma, why is there so much of hatred and discontentment among us, the followers of Abrahamic faith? How exactly do you want the Christians to behave or communicate?
Why are you targeting at the Christians so much - is it because Christianity is the most influential faith in Malaysia today? All major religions other than Christianity have processions and celebrations too.
Are you not worried that Muslims, upon watching all these processions and celebrations, would be confused or influenced? Are you not worried that these processions and celebrations are also disguised attempts to convert Muslims?
Why is it only the word ‘Allah’ as used by the Christians and now the Easter banners have caused you sleepless nights? Why is it that the word ‘Allah’ as used by Sikhs is not your concern?
JustAMalaysian: A musical is a musical. People should not get paranoid. I know of many young people, non-Malays, whose grasp of English is very poor but they are very comfortable when spoken to in Bahasa Malaysia.
Are these people who make a lot of noise trying to attract attention for reasons of their own?
Mark Anthony: Doesn't Isma know there are Christians from Sabah and Sarawak who do not speak English but Bahasa or their native languages?
AnSoN: I am a Buddhist and I attended Christian services and prayers in church. I also attended a Muslim prayer session in my factory's surau recently on the invitation of my staff. I sat through the sermon.
After that, I had a nice chat with the ‘ustad’. I am still me and not a convert, so what the big fuss?
Negarawan: The declining standard of English in Malaysian schools is affecting people of all races - Malays, Indians, Chinese, and others. Many Indians and Chinese nowadays, especially those from smaller towns, are really not confident using English.
This Christian church could have many Chinese and Indian members. Yes, the church could have printed its posters in Chinese and Tamil, but perhaps it was easier and cheaper for them to print just in Bahasa.
It would have been more prudent of them to have added the words "Bukan untuk penganut Islam" at the bottom.
The decision to print in Bahasa therefore does not automatically mean that it is an attempt to proselytise to Muslims.
Kangaroocourt: "In view of this... Seremban Isma urges the Negri Sembilan Islamic Affairs Department to monitor the Easter Musical," said Zamani.
I like to point out to Seremban Isma that monitoring the event will entail watching the musical. If any of the observers have weak faith and get confused and convert, it is squarely Seremban Isma's fault. Don't blame the church for proselytising later.
Appum: I second Seremban Isma's proposal that the Negeri Sembilan Islamic Affairs Department monitor the Easter Musical to ensure that no Muslim participates in the event and there are no elements of preaching to Muslims.
After the event, it is imperative for Isma to follow up with a public announcement as to whether any proselytising happened and if so, furnish proof for all to see. Don't make statements just to hog the limelight.
Mytwosensworth: If you believe in ghosts, you will see one with every turn of head, or around each corner.
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