The Catholic church in Malaysia has failed in a bid to suspend a government ban on the use of the word "Allah" in its weekly newsletter after the court rejected its application.
The high court ruling on Thursday effectively upheld the federal government's 2007 ban, which has become a symbol of religious tensions in the country.
The government directive bars non-Muslims from translating God as "Allah" in their literature, saying it would confuse Muslims in this plural, Muslim-majority country.
The Herald, which reports on Catholic community news in English, Malay, Tamil and Mandarin, tried to get the order suspended while waiting for a court decision on the ban's legality.
The court will hear the newspaper's original bid to review the administrative order on July 7. In 2007, the government issued a warning over The Herald's use of the word "Allah", which officials had said could only be
used to refer to the Muslim God.
Christian groups say the ban is unconstitutional, arguing that the word "Allah" predates Islam. Print publications in Malaysia require a permit which is renewed every year, and is subject to conditions set by the government.
Courtesy: Al Jazeera
The government directive bars non-Muslims from translating God as "Allah" in their literature, saying it would confuse Muslims in this plural, Muslim-majority country.
The Herald, which reports on Catholic community news in English, Malay, Tamil and Mandarin, tried to get the order suspended while waiting for a court decision on the ban's legality.
The court will hear the newspaper's original bid to review the administrative order on July 7. In 2007, the government issued a warning over The Herald's use of the word "Allah", which officials had said could only be
used to refer to the Muslim God.Christian groups say the ban is unconstitutional, arguing that the word "Allah" predates Islam. Print publications in Malaysia require a permit which is renewed every year, and is subject to conditions set by the government.
Courtesy: Al Jazeera
The Malaysian Government always get their priority wrong.
ReplyDeleteThey should follow the footsteps of the Prophet Muhammad ( peace be upon him). Prophet Muhammad didn't stop the non Muslim to used the word " Allah" but explain to the (jahiliyah) ignorant, who is Allah.
By now most Christian know the Surah Ikhlas
# 112:1 (Y. Ali) Say: He is Allah, the One and Only;
# 112:2 (Y. Ali) Allah, the Eternal, Absolute;
# 112:3 (Y. Ali) He begetteth not, nor is He begotten;
# 112:4 (Y. Ali) And there is none like unto Him.
However many Christian or even Muslim are not familiar with the following verses
# 5:17 (Y. Ali) In blasphemy indeed are those that say that Allah is Christ the son of Mary. Say: "Who then hath the least power against Allah, if His will were to destroy Christ the son of Mary, his mother, and all every - one that is on the earth? For to Allah belongeth the dominion of the heavens and the earth, and all that is between. He createth what He pleaseth. For Allah hath power over all things."
# 4:171 (Y. Ali) O People of the Book! Commit no excesses in your religion: Nor say of Allah aught but the truth. Christ Jesus the son of Mary was (no more than) an apostle of Allah, and His Word, which He bestowed on Mary, and a spirit proceeding from Him: so believe in Allah and His apostles. Say not "Trinity" : desist: it will be better for you: for Allah is one Allah. Glory be to Him: (far exalted is He) above having a son. To Him belong all things in the heavens and on earth. And enough is Allah as a Disposer of affairs.
Al-Imran (The Family of Imran)
# 3:3 (Y. Ali) It is He Who sent down to thee (step by step), in truth, the Book, confirming what went before it; and He sent down the Law (of Moses) and the Gospel (of Jesus) before this, as a guide to mankind, and He sent down the criterion (of judgment between right and wrong).
Al-Imran (The Family of Imran)
# 3:52 (Y. Ali) When Jesus found Unbelief on their part He said: "Who will be My helpers to (the work of) Allah." Said the disciples: "We are Allah's helpers: We believe in Allah, and do thou bear witness that we are Muslims.
Al-Imran (The Family of Imran)
# 3:59 (Y. Ali) The similitude of Jesus before Allah is as that of Adam; He created him from dust, then said to him: "Be". And he was.
Al-Imran (The Family of Imran)
# 3:84 (Y. Ali) Say: "We believe in Allah, and in what has been revealed to us and what was revealed to Abraham, Isma'il, Isaac, Jacob, and the Tribes, and in (the Books) given to Moses, Jesus, and the prophets, from their Lord: We make no distinction between one and another among them, and to Allah do we bow our will (in Islam)."
Did the Prophet Muhammad ( peace be upon him) stop the Christians and the Jews from using Allah to prevent the Muslim or Arab being confused???
Msian Government should improve the teaching of Islam in school instead of preventing non Muslim to understand who is Allah.
Surah 5:Ayat: 82-83 "And thou wilt find the nearest of them in affection to those who believe (to be) those who say: Lo! We are Christians. That is because there are among them priests and monks, and because they are not proud. When they listen to that which hath been revealed unto the messenger, thou seest their eyes overflow with tears because of their recognition of the Truth. They say: Our Lord, we believe. Inscribe us as among the witnesses"
Malaysians have a long way to go.
May this U tube help all Muslim and Non Muslim in Msia
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7aHBNzP7eo
Cheers
arah,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your visit and comments pertaining to the issue.
Your comments is well defined and well elaborated too.
Indeed, it is interesting to share..
Judging from your well selected quotations and surah in placed, it reflecting your level of knowledge in this subject matter. In fact, it speaks for itself. A noble gesture, I guess.
For that, I congratulate and solute you.
Honestly speaking, I am not a religious scholar. I therefore refrain my self from rebuffing further to your strategical and well planned comments.
However, I must say, Malaysia Government knows where its priority is.
Having 'Islam' as its constitutional choice for official religion; It is rather unfortunate, certain systems and principles have to be compromised.
Indeed in Malaysian governance, there are lot of elements' complicity that need to be amicably tolerated.
Among others, the nation's security, national integrity, communal sensitivities, political ideologies and historical backgrounds.
I agree, it is not too late for Malaysian to explore their differences. Either, in politics or in religions for that matter.
A vision for a better future...
At last but not least, arah; you are always welcome.
My dear Solymone
ReplyDeleteAs a Muslim we have to understand the fundamental of Islam.
Do you know why the government of Msia preventing the Christian calling Almighty God the Creator as Allah?
Who is Allah?
Allah is the proper Arabic name for God. Muslims believe in and worship the same One God that the Jews and Christians worship. Allah says in the Qur'an:
"And do not debate with the People of the Book, unless in the best of manners, but not with those who are unjust, and say: "We believe in the Revelation that has come down to us and in that which has come down to you; Our God and your God is One, and to Him do we wholly give ourselves." (Qur'an 29:46)
Allah is a unique term with no plural an no gender. It predates Muhammad and was also used in the form of El, Elah or Elohim by David, Moses, Jesus and other messengers of God, peace be upon them all.
"He is God, the One that there is no deity but He; the Knower of the unseen and the apparent; He is the Source of All Mercy, the Merciful.
He is God, the One that there is no deity but He; the King, the Holy, the Source of All Peace, the Guardian of Faith, the Preserver, the Mighty, the Compeller, the Majestic; Glory to God, beyond their associations (of partners with Him)!
He is God, the Creator, the Maker, the Fashioner. To Him belong the most beautiful names. All that is in the heavens and the earth magnifies Him; He is the Mighty, the Wise." (Qur'an 59:22-24)
Allah knows best
Thanks in advance arah,
ReplyDeleteAs usual, once again, I praise your comments in regards to the Islamic theology etc.
However, you haven't defined 'YOUR VERSIONS' as to why Malaysian ban other of using the word of 'Allah'.
Or to your book, where they are precisely wrong for that matter.
Actually, I'm glad to see more of your comments in near future.
As a person, I would appreciate it, if I could know you better.
Unfortunately, Both of your blogs don't really helping either.