Although named 'Harmony Among Religions' to comply with the Global Interfaith Harmony Week, the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim)'s Friday sermon text today mostly stressed that the word 'Allah' can only be used by Muslims.

The sermon - to be read out to the congregation in mosques later today - said that while religious tolerance is encouraged in Islam, there are limits to tolerance.

This includes allowing the word 'Allah' to be used by non-Muslims, states the sermon that was uploaded by Jakim on its website.

“The National Fatwa Council... has discussed the demand by non-Muslims to use 'Allah' (and) decided that the holy word is specific to Islam and Muslims, and cannot be used or equated to terms in non-Islamic religions...

“Thus it is the duty of all Muslims to care for it and protect it from being maligned or abused, including by blocking its use (by non-Muslims) in accordance with the law and the Federal Constitution.

“Those who (support the) use of the term merely to show that Islam celebrates other religions, only bring more harm to Islam and Muslims,” the sermon reads.

It said Muslims cannot compromise on the use of the word by other religions, as it involves faith and the concept of tauhid (Islamic monotheism).

The “main aim” of non-Muslims in using the word, the sermon claimed, is “to confuse Muslims and to later claim that all religions are the same”.

Contending with the Christian concept of the Holy Trinity, it cited Verse 72 of the al-Maidah chapter of the Quran, which states that those who say that Allah is the same as Jesus are non-believers.

'Holy struggle'

“The struggle to defend and uphold Allah's call and the exclusive rights of Muslims is a holy struggle which will receive assistance from Allah.”

Defending the use of the word 'Allah', it said, did not contradict with Islam's call for religious tolerance and protection of the human rights of all.

It said that the Prophet Muhammad himself protected non-Muslims who lived peaceably among Muslims in Medina.

Citing a hadith (a report of the prophet's deeds and sayings), it noted that the prophet had also spoken against hurting non-Muslims.

“Whoever hurts a non-Muslim, I shall be his complainant; and for whoever I am a complainant, I shall ask for his right on the day of Resurrection,” the hadith recorded by Abu Dawud reads.

The prophet was also recorded to have stood up in respect of the remains of a Jewish man.

“These hadith show that Islam encourages its followers to respect all races and religions because Islam demands that we respect, be courteous, and be humane to one another.”

Although the sermon is for use nationwide, mosques also received texts endorsed by their respective state Islamic departments - including the Federal Territories Islamic Department (Jawi) - and may choose to read out those sermons instead.

Quiet interfaith harmony week

Launched by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Joseph Kurup at a humble ceremony last week, the focus of the Global Interfaith Harmony Week (Feb 1-9) includes promoting interfaith harmony through religious sermons.

The event was held on the same day that two Molotov cocktails had been lobbed into the compound of a church in Penang - an incident reportedly linked to the ongoing dispute over the word 'Allah'.

The attack came after several churches in Penang found a banner stating 'Jesus is the son of Allah' hung in front of their premises without their consent. Police reports have been lodged.

The interfaith week has gone on without publicity, prompting DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang to question why the government seems to lack seriousness on the matter despite rising religious tensions.

Other programmes planned are an interfaith dialogue in Kota Kinabalu this evening, visits by ministers and national service trainees to Taoist, Buddhist, Christian, Muslim and Hindu places of worship on Feb 8, as well as a bowling competition.

The Education Ministry is also running school programmes on the matter in conjunction with the week, while it is understood that national service camps will be having “cultural exchange” events.