“Allah” – who is confused?
Religious freedom provided in Article 11 of the Federal Constitution includes the right to have access to, and the use of, scriptures and printed material in Bahasa Malaysia, our national language. To have scriptures and publications in a language of one’s choice is fundamental. Nonetheless, there have been incidents where Christian materials are being confiscated on grounds that the use of certain words, e.g. “Allah,” etc., would cause confusion and controversies.
On 15 Aug 2007, three boxes of educational materials for Christian children were detained by the custom officers at the LCCT in Sepang. The materials belong to the SIB Sabah. Recently, the publisher of Catholic weekly bulletin Herald was asked to remove its Bahasa Malaysia section or risk losing its publication permit.
To the Bahasa speaking Christians, the native bumiputeras in particular, the rationale of the Internal Security Ministry (KDN) for its action appears nonsensical. The term ‘Allah’ has been used to mean God for generations, even before Malaysia as a country was formed.
"In Bahasa Malaysia, the word 'Allah' has been used continuously in the printed edition of Matthew's Gospel in Malay in 1629, in the first complete Malay Bible in 1733 until today in the Alkitab," said Pastor Jerry Dusing, the president of SIB Sabah.
Historically, the word predates the Islamic era and was used by Christians in the Arabic-speaking world before there were any Muslims.
The SIB Sabah has filed for a judicial review against KDN’s decision to disallow the import of Christian literatures containing the word “Allah.” The hearing has been postponed to 16 Jan 2008. Meanwhile Herald files a suit against the government for stopping it from using “Allah” in its publication. The date of hearing has yet to be fixed.
As Malaysian citizens, in what manner shall we, Christians, embrace our national language? Tan Sri Bernard Dompok, the Minister in the Prime Minster’s Department, says it well: “Bahasa Malaysia is the national language for all, irrespective of the racial groups or religious beliefs. It should be a matter of pride for all Malaysians, followers of all religions, to use the national language for their worship” (theSun, p4, 28 Dec).
PRAY
2Chronicles 19: 6-7 “Consider what you are doing, for you do not judge for man but for the Lord who is with you when you render judgment. Now then let the fear of the Lord be upon you; be very careful what you do, for the Lord our God will have no part in unrighteousness or partiality or the taking of bribe.”
1. Justice and fairness to prevail
2. Christian leaders and lawyers involved in the lawsuits: wisdom, sound judgment and courage.
3. Against the temptation of the evil one, the spirit of compromise and the fear of man.
|
