YOURSAY 'This country has a written constitution. We are not run by whatever the majority desires, assuming the Umcedel survey is correct.’

Survey shows Malays still want 'Allah' to be exclusive

Proarte: Did Universiti Malaya Centre for Democracy and Elections (Umcedel) ask the Malays whether truth and facts or the Quran mattered in their opinion about the Allah issue?

Were the Malays told that ‘Allah’ is an Arabic word for God and is not a word exclusive to Islam? Were Malays in the survey told that Arab Christians and Jews were using the word ‘Allah’ long before the advent of Islam?

Were they told Arab Christians did not object to Muslims using the word ‘Allah’ because it is a generic term for God? Were Malays asked by Umcedel where they got that opinion about ‘Allah’ from? Were Malays asked why they seem to be the only group of Muslims in the world who are making ‘Allah’ exclusive to Islam?

Why do Arab Christians, who have worshipped Allah for 2,000 years, continue to do so to this day where the majority Arab population are Muslims?

There is no point taking a survey from ignorant people. Only when Malays are educated on Quranic matters, have a knowledge of Arabic etymology, world religions, Islamic history, will surveys on their faith be meaningful.

Malaysian 001: The Malays are not to be blamed about this because of the brainwashing and misinformation being fed through the mainstream media by Umno, Perkasa and similar groups.

If only they rationally look at what the rest of the world, think about the issue and ask themselves why everybody says otherwise, they too would be convinced.

They need to be told that Christians have been using ‘Allah’ way before Islam as Christianity and Judaism are very much older religions.

The Muslims in the Middle East understand that fact, which is why they are laughing at Muslim Malaysians and the Umno government. The Muslim Malaysians only need to ask themselves why other Muslims have no objection to the use of 'Allah' by non-Muslims.

Quigonbond: This country has a written constitution. We are not run by whatever the majority desires, assuming the Umcedel survey is correct (where 77 percent of Malays said 'Allah' should be exclusive to Islam, while 11 percent disagree).

Otherwise, Pakatan Rakyat need not respect the electoral system, seriously flawed as it may be, and insist that BN steps down because Pakatan has the majority votes, in excess of one million, and ought to be running the country now.

This is where the courts will demonstrate whether Malaysia is a true democracy or a sham. The courts need to uphold the constitution and leave enforcing peace and education to the executive. It cannot in anticipation of mob anger decide in such a manner that is politically expedient.

The crux of the matter is those who want ‘Allah’ to be exclusive are demanding so in the face of history and our constitutional safeguards.

Antoine Ross Deliones: I may be wrong, but it seems to me that what is happening here is unprecedented in the whole history of mankind.

Is there any historical parallel where a group of people claim ownership to certain words and try to forbid others from using those words? I cannot think of any. But I am not a historian, nor was I a good student of history when I was in studying in school.

Fernz: The issue, in my considered opinion, is not ‘Allah’ but:

1. Whether the home minister has any right in law and constitution to tell anyone what he or she should or should not call his or her God.

2. Whether such a move can be linked with national security.

3. Whether national security can be interpreted in an arbitrary manner.

4. What is "confusion" in law?

5. Whether the home minister, if he so claims which he didn't, can claim that he was acting within the prerogative and discretionary powers of government and in a matter of high policy.

So, tell me, why is there a need to talk about Allah or the issue of Allah in court, even whether the Sikhs and Arab Christians are using the term?

Astounded: Don't forget at one time most Germans believe in the superiority of the Aryan race and tried to exterminate the Jews. Just because most Germans believe in this superiority, does it mean that it is true? Malaysia is treading on dangerous grounds.

Anonymous #02382443: By the same token, more than 77 percent of non-Malays don't want special privileges for bumiputeras. So does it mean it should be stopped?

Not Confused: I'm really sorry about the results of this survey. It shows what confused and brainwashed lot the Malays seem to be.

No matter what they want or prefer, nowhere on this planet has one race or religion laid exclusive rights on any single word that is in common use globally. It simply defies any logic.

It matters not what legislation this moronic government tries to enact. It simply will not work, nor will the government be successful in its intent.

The word ‘Allah’ will be used by anyone who wishes to do so and that is how it will be and should be. Anyone with common sense can see that. Get over it and move on to far more relevant and important issues in this country.

Myop101: Sarawakians and Sabahans should seriously consider cessation since their respective 18- and 20-point agreements have not been met concerning religious freedom. It is better to be apart than continuously argue on this matter.

Like any business partnership, the partnership will usually be terminated when the partners can't agree and have serious arguments over unresolved issues.

Anonymous$&@?: There might be a flaw in the method used in this survey. The use of "face-to-face" survey on a sensitive issue like the usage of ‘Allah’ by non-Muslims would elicit a response that is favoured by the majority of the population because respondents would be afraid to answer against the choice of the establishment.

If this survey was done incognito, there is a good chance that the answer would be different. What say the survey research experts?

NewMalaysia: I guess maybe if you ask the respondents the question whether Islam is exclusive to Malays only, their answer would also be a resounding ‘yes’.

My other question would be why Muslims in the rest of the world do not object to the word 'Allah' being used by other religions but Muslims in Malaysia think differently? Shouldn't Muslim Malaysians, who make up a minority among all the Muslims in the world, follow the majority?

Or is it that Malaysia has a different version of Islam from the rest of the world?

Peacemaker: The last survey in my kindergarten class shows that the overwhelming majority want lollipops for breakfast, lunch and dinner. And they all agree they don't want to bathe.

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