YOURSAY 'Indeed, both Christians and Jews used the word ‘Allah' to refer to God even before the coming of Islam,' said UAE's The National. That says it all.'
Allah is not exclusive to Islam, says Emirati editorial
Aries46: The affirmation by The National's editorial from United Arab Emirates (UAE) is timely though most Malaysians are well aware of Umno's delusional pursuit and illogical reasoning simply to deprive the Christians of the use of the word ‘Allah' which was "in use by the Jews and Christians even before the coming of Islam".
What is more appalling is the seemingly baseless decision of the appellate court judges that has become the point of contention (laughing stock) none other than in the Middle East, the very cradle of Islam.
But there is no shame in this pyrrhic victory as far as Umno and its ilk are concerned because its height of arrogance has blinded it to its own folly.
Headhunter: "The word ‘Allah' is never exclusive to Islam - indeed, both Christians and Jews used the word ‘Allah' to refer to God even before the coming of Islam," according to UAE's The National.
That says it all. If anyone who can claim exclusivity to the word ‘Allah', it's the Christians and Jews. If anyone who's confused or giving Islam a bad name, it's the bigots in Umno. Talk about being confused.
Awakened: The editorial by UAE 's government newspaper has provided three concrete facts. First, the word ‘Allah' is derived from the Arabic "al-ilah" which means God.
Second, the word ‘Allah' has been used by the Jews and Christians before Islam was established. Third, the Quran itself is explicit about the subject in Surah Al Ankabut, asking the Muslims to tell the Jews and Christians that "our God and your God is one".
The Appeal Court judges should have used these facts in their judgment. The other two facts which the judges have also erred was Article 11 of our constitution which guaranteed religious freedom and the 18-point/20-point Agreement between Sabah/Sarawak and Malaya.
By disallowing the Christians to use the word ‘Allah' in their bibles and their publications is tantamount to taking away the freedom of the bumiputera Christians in practicing and preaching of their religion.
The ground of judgment should be based on the above facts rather than the judges' personal non-factual interpretation.
Forever No BN: Surah Al-Ankabut 29:47 - And argue not with the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians), unless it be in (a way) that is better (with good words and in good manner, inviting them to Islamic Monotheism with His Verses), except with such of them as do wrong, and say (to them): "We believe in that which has been revealed to us and revealed to you; our Allah (God) and your Allah (God) is One (i.e. Allah), and to Him we have submitted (as Muslim)."
Mohamad Abdul Malik: The problem is that the number of Christians in the UAE is very negligible. How many churches do they have?
In Malaysia, the use of the word 'Allah' was not an issue for decades. No Muslims bothered whether the Sikhs or East Malaysians are using it during their Sunday mass.
But the 'word' became a problem when the church wanted to ‘officialise' it. Suddenly, it has turned into a provocation against the Muslims.
I can only say that somebody took the bait and fell into a trap set up by parties bent on ruling the country indefinitely.
Ferdtan: I don't know much about this entire affair so I am not going to comment on the pros and cons of the whole issue. However I would like to comment on Mohamad Abdul Malik's take on the issue.
He said UAE is different as there are fewer Christians than in Malaysia. On top of that. he said that no Muslims bothered whether the Sikhs or East Malaysians are using it in their Sunday mass.
So Mohamad Abdul Malik, from your argument it is not about the issue of principle and the rights enshrined by our Constitution regarding freedom of religion. Is it about the problem that it may create for the Muslims (or the Umno ultras) in the country?
You use strong word - "provocation" - to describe the church's action by going to the court? Funny, I would have thought that was the mildest way to try to fight for their rights, even knowing that the courts and the judges are wanting.
Don't you think violence is much more provocative? Mohamad, argue on the real issue based on point of facts. Please understand, the core issue here is whether the Christians have the right to use the word ‘Allah'. Period.
It is not, as you said, that the Christians are stirring up a hornet's nest now. If you have the right you are entitled to it, regardless when you make the claim.
Borneo Son: Catholic weekly The Herald is not meant to propagate the Gospel of Jesus Christ among non-followers of the Christian faith but is intended for the members of the Roman Catholic Church, which include the Bahasa Malaysia-speaking non-Muslim bumiputeras of Sabah, Sarawak and the peninsula.
But one cannot stop people of other religions from reading it if they happen to come across it, especially the online version in this Internet age. Maybe that's what some parties are afraid of and that's the real reason for the ban.
But if they are easily swayed, then it speaks of how shallow their faith is.
Proarte: It was a political decision pure and simple. There was no reference to the rule of law, justice, logic, religious history, etymology and truth. The judges disgustingly used the manufactured threats of potential violence as justification for banning the word ‘Allah'.
The tendency for Muslims to resort to violence if they feel aggrieved for whatever reason has now become justification to pander to their wishes no matter how illogical or immoral it is. This is a sad day for the rule of law.
The civilised Arab world is bemused and shocked at our judges' stupidity and ignorance. Islam has to stand for justice, rationality and equality. In Malaysia, Islam has been abused by Umno and their proxies in the judiciary to become a fig leaf for immorality, injustice, stupidity and ignorance.
Let the Quran has the last word: "We believe in that which has been revealed to us and revealed to you (Christians and Jews). And our God and your God is one; and we are Muslims [in submission] to Him."
Jagara: Malaysia has become the laughing stock of the world with this judgment by the three court of appeal judges - if Arabic Muslim countries and governments have no problem with the usage of the word ‘Allah' by Christians and Jews - who are people of the Book (Bible) - why should they?
They should be squirming in their judges bench for serving the political dictates of the corrupt and intolerant Umno government.
Not Confused: From this day forward, Malays will not be seen as the defenders of Islam (it needs no protection - it is strong and robust in the rest of the world) - instead, Malays will be seen as headless chickens in a deep hole, seeing shadows everywhere and forever in a siege mentality.
It's really sad for what was once a country that could hold its head up high. No longer it seems.
Anonymous_4144: Now for some logic. Only Muslims can use the world 'Allah' because it is the name of the Muslim God. I get that.
Christians cannot use 'Allah' so they can only use 'Tuhan' to refer to the Christian God. I get that too.
Now then, when Muslims sing the Negaraku or recite the Rukunegara which use the word 'Tuhan', they would be referring to the Christian God. Am I missing something here?
Dc77: I believe that majority of our Muslim brothers in Malaysia are good people who have live with their fellow non-Muslim brethen for hundreds of years in this beautiful land without any animosity.
This is not an issue about race and religion. I will not hate my fellow countrymen because of this court judgment. This is about a minority government who wants to continue their rule even if it tears the country apart.
It is high time somebody do something about national unity and how to bring this country back to its former glory.
Changeagent: What does a newspaper editorial from UAE know about the exclusive use of ‘Allah' in Islam? Umno is the guardian of the faith and the only subject matter expert in the world.
If they say it's exclusive, then it's exclusive. It's even stamped, verified and approved by the Malaysian court so it must be right.
Anonymous #44199885: Malaysia has its own standards. It sets itself apart from the world. It dares to defy logic, history and common sense. It ignores the plain truth and evidence aplenty in favour of the "truth" espoused by right-wingers.
Only in Malaysia can three men of a particular faith, of no known theological training nor practise of any Christianity rule on the theology and liturgy of Christianity.
Only in Malaysia are Christians and Jews regarded as a people other than people of the book.
Only in Malaysia, it is ruled that the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob whom the Muslims call ‘Allah' is not also the God of the Christians and Jews.
James_3392: Perkasa, it is your duty now to force the Malaysia government to sever diplomatic ties with UAE, stop their airplanes from landing at KL International Airport (KLIA) and to teach them a lesson on Islam.
The Arabs are just not as knowledgeable as we are on the subject of Islam. Please ask them to shut up.
JamesBond007: Indeed, The National's editor is better qualified to be the judge...
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