In Malaysia, the word of ALLAH (GOD) can not used by other religions.
By pormadi
@pormadi (1300)
Indonesia
January 16, 2008 1:04am CST
I do not believed this, why government prohibit other religions to use ALLAH (from arabic = God)? It is crazy. Just read this quoted statements.
”Only Muslims can use [the word] Allah. It’s a Muslim word. It’s from the Arabic language. We cannot let other religions use it because it will confuse people,” deputy minister for internal security Johari Baharum told the press in explaining the rationale for the controversial decision. “We cannot allow this use of ‘Allah’ in non-Muslim publications; nobody except Muslims [can use it]. The word ‘Allah’ is published by the Catholics. It’s not right,” he said. (http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_Asia/JA10Ae02.html)
What do you think that Malaysia is overacting?
2 responses
@worldwidewadi (277)
• Singapore
13 Jul 08
I'm a muslim. The word Allah is exclusive to the Muslims only. Ask any christians in arab countries, they use the word Allah for god in the arabic bible. But in Malaysia, the people there speak Malay, Chinese, tamil or English. they can simply use the word God in English or Tuhan in Malay. I don't see why the catholics there have to use arabic word for god when their congregation can use their own native tongue for the word God. In multiracial society like Malaysia, race and religion is a sensitive matter. Hence the prohibition of usage of the word Allah by other religion is necessary to avoid religious conflict.
@worldwidewadi (277)
• Singapore
13 Jul 08
I'm sorry in the mistake in my post. I mean to say that the word Allah is not exclusive to Muslims only. Hence the 3rd sentence in my original post would make sense after I corrected the 2nd sentence.
Of course you can use whatever word for God. But again, why would one use the word Arabic word Allah when the Christians in Malaysia do not use Arabic in their bible? They have their own word for God in their own tongue like God in English or Tuhan in Malay and whatever it is Chinese and Indian languages.
Hope that clears up ;)
@worldwidewadi (277)
• Singapore
14 Jul 08
And I too do not believe religion is exclusive only to certain group of people. Sad to say, Islam got hijacked by extremist and has been giving us bad names.
@Redfox001 (10)
• Palestinian Territory, Occupied
13 Jul 08
If we agree that God is the creator of all things, living and non-living, why do we bother about which word people use? If Allah conveys the meaning, it can be used. If we treat religions like we treat political parties, and argue about my God or your God, this is what creates conflict. God is not Muslim or Christian or Jewish..., God is God of all. Why should we try to impose our definitions on Him?
