Najib visits five places of worship, but mum on 'Allah'

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak today visited five places of worship in a span of two hours in an apparent bid to sooth interfaith ties, but remained mum on the use of the word ‘Allah' in Malay-language bibles or threats to burn them.

He began his walkabout at 4pm visiting a church, a surau and three temples - Chinese, Hindu and Buddhist - all in Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur. The prime minister signed a commemorative plaque at each destination and then handed over a RM30,000 mock cheque.

Najib's silence is a stark contrast to many prominent politicians - both in BN and Pakatan Rakyat - who have weighed in on the issue.

Among them are DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng and MCA publicity chief Loh Seng Kok - both calling for the word to be allowed in the Bible in accordance with a High Court ruling - PAS information chief Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man opposing it, and Gerakan president Koh Tsu Koon urging calm and pointing out that the matter is still in the Court of Appeal.

The places of worship visited by Najib were the Tamil Methodist Church, Sam Kow Tong Temple, Madrasathul Gouthiyyah, Sri Sakhti Vinayagar Temple and the Buddhist Maha Vihara, while he performed the Asar prayers at the Madrasathul Gouthiyyah.

In his speech at the end of his ‘Harmony Walk' in conjunction with the launch of the World Interfaith Harmony Week, Najib issued a general plea for moderation and urged Malaysians to reject extremism.

"I have always said that interfaith problems are no fault of the religion itself, but extremists and fanatics who chose violence.

"If they had chosen moderation instead and believed in dialogue, consultation and reject violence and extremism, I believe the world would be a more peaceful and harmonious," he said.

To back his case, he cited the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which he said was not a religious conflict but an example of a land grab.

Regardless of faith, he said any person would be aggrieved if their land, sovereignty and rights are taken.

Three principles to ensure peace

Najib said that moderation, along with mutual respect and fairness, are three principles that help ensure peace in the country.

"The BN government will defend and practice these principles. Believe me, this is our promise to the people of Malaysia, and our promises are 'Janji ditepati'," he said.

According to the premier, respect must be practiced by Malaysians of all religions.

"The action of some who play politics and not care for the sensitivity of Muslims simply to gain support for the general election, showed that they are not responsible leaders.

“In Islam, Prophet Nabi Muhammad SAW has taught us to respect other religions and if other creed respects Islam, there will be no problems in this country,” he said, without mentioning the 'Allah' controversy. 

The longstanding issue on the use of ‘Allah' as translation for God in Malay-language Bibles is among of the most divisive religious issue in Malaysia.

Opponents say that ‘Allah' is exclusive to Muslims and the word ‘Tuhan' should be the more appropriate translation. Others countered that ‘Allah' has been used in Arab-speaking countries without problems or creating confusion among Muslims.

In 2009, the High Court ruled that non-Muslims can use 'Allah' for God in their Bahasa Malaysia literature and holy book, but the government has filed an appeal against the decision which is still pending.

Recently, the controversy resurfaced after Lim's Christmas message last year urging for ‘Allah' to be allowed, triggering threats from Perkasa chief Ibrahim Ali to burn such Bibles.

Lim had later clarified that his message was meant for East Malaysians, where there are many Christians using Malay as their mother tongue.