Allah row: 'Politicians happy to drag it'

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your say 'There are many other issues for us to look into but if we keep on arguing over this ‘Allah' issue, the politicians will be happy and only we suffer in the end.'

Of nasi lemak and Allah

David Dass: Malaysians of all stripes should develop the ability to calmly and dispassionately discuss sensitive subjects. That is what democracy is all about. It is only through debate and discussion that the other viewpoint or perspective is heard and perhaps understood.

The centre should always be calm, even in the middle of a storm. There is the risk of an extremely militant fringe group occupying the centre with strident histrionics for their own agenda.

So many nations are torn apart by strife and discord. And if you look closely, you will notice that there is little discord in developed democratic countries. For obvious reasons, anarchy, discord and human rights violations are characteristic of totalitarian regimes.

You will also notice that the so-called religious countries are also the most corrupt. In particular, note the Philippines, Pakistan and those in Latin America. Malaysians should take heed.

Anak Sarawak: Just remember that in the 20-point Agreement for Sabah and Sarawak, item No 1 is that ‘While the people of North Borneo (Sarawak and Sabah) have no objection to Islam as the official religion of Malaysia, there shall be no official religion for Sabah and Sarawak'.

All citizens can profess any religion he or she chooses without intimidation or force. Now they are going against the agreed principles of the formation of Malaysia.

Christ Follower: We are all from the same Creator. Learn to respect other religions and live a peaceful life. There are many other issues for us to look into but if we keep on arguing over this ‘Allah' issue, the politicians will be happy and prices will keep on going higher and higher. Only we will suffer in the end.

Azizi Khan: I am confused here. The rejection of the interfaith council (IFC) because ‘they demand too much' sounds too fishy. As it is, public funds (which largely come from non-Muslim taxes) are siphoned into other large-scale religious projects. But building a few extra churches is too much? Push comes to shove, they don't practice what they preach.

Not Confused: Why is this subject still being discussed? Surely it must be a complete non-issue. Why would anyone care who uses what word and where? The word ‘Allah' has been used throughout the world for many hundreds of years by many religions, including Islam, Christianity and Sikhism, to name just three.

Islam is a strong religion followed by millions throughout the world. If it is so easily confused then it clearly is a sadly insecure religion that needs protecting. I don't believe this to be the case. For heaven's sake, there are many, many more important issues to worry about here in Malaysia. Let's have some common sense and let the issue rest.

Redz : Allah is universal, meaning that everyone of this earth knows Allah. What's wrong if non-Muslims buy Islamic book for knowledge? In fact, many have succeeded in formal examinations on Islam even though they are not Muslim.

'Allah': Make your actions 'speak'

Siva: Why on earth do the Catholics want to have the world ‘Allah' in their journals? Okay, I can understand that in the East Malaysia, the ‘true people' of Malaysia know only Malay and have used the term for over 300 years.

But why did the Christian missionaries use the term ‘Allah' there and standard biblical terms elsewhere? I don't know, it's very strange. They are strange ways to convert people as though what God has provided is not sufficient.

'Allah' issue: Zulkifli Noordin is spot on

Maroondah: ‘Allah' is the word for God in the Arabic language which existed several thousand of years before Islam existed. In fact, Prophet Muhammad father's name is Abdullah which means ‘servant of Allah'. Allah was the pagan God of the Arabs before the Prophet was born and hence this is proof that ‘Allah' is a generic word for God.

Peter, Jesus and Ahmad are special names that refer to a particular person. Hence, the reasoning that ‘Allah' is exclusive to the Muslims because they use the word to refer to God is defective. Christians all over the world have used ‘Allah' all this while, so why must they change?

The Arab Christians used the word ‘Allah' before Islam existed. As for Christians preaching in Kuching, not everyone there is Muslim.


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