| God and Allah in Malaysia |
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| Written by Our Correspondent | |
| Sunday, 03 January 2010 | |
 Justice Lau Bee Lan The decision by Malaysian High Court Justice Lau Bee Lan giving the Catholic Herald newspaper the right to use the word Allah to represent God in its Malay-language edition has been met with jubilation among the country's 850,000-odd Catholics and outrage on the part of Muslims. As many as 10,000 protesters had signed onto a Facebook group page objecting to the Dec. 31 judgment. A flock of United Malay National Organization politicians have got into the act as well, including former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamd and his son Mukhriz as well as former Selangor Chief Minister Mohamad Khir Toyo and others. Moderates including Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim are being called traitors to Islam for agreeing withg the decision, which is all but certain to be appealed to a higher court by the government as soon as possible and, if past practice is any gauge, a stay of execution will probably be granted. The decision by Justice Lau, however, focuses attention on another matter entirely, and that is the growing independence of Malaysia's lower courts to issue decisions contrary to the government after nearly three decades. Her decision against the government followed another major one in May 2008 when High Court Judge Abdul Aziz Abdul Rahim ruled that Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin, who headed the opposition in the state, was wrongly removed as the chief minister of the northern state of Perak. Najib Tun Razak, then the deputy prime minister, engineered the defection of three lawmakers from the national opposition coalition Pakatan Rakyat, bringing the government to a halt in a 28-28 tie. In that case, Judge Abdul Aziz ruled that Perak Sultan Raja Azlan Shah did not have the power to order Nizar to vacate his position as chief minister and instead to install Zambry Abdul Kadir, a longtime Umno stalwart, in his place. An appellate court almost immediately stayed the decision. It is still being fought out in court. In another notable case, High Court Justice Syed Ahmad Helmy Syed Ahmad in November of 2008 freed Raja Petra Kamaruddin, the editor of the internet publication Malaysia Today after the editor was ordered jailed on a series of charges, mainly in connection with a series of scathing editorials and articles that sought to link Najib to the 2006 execution murder of Mongolian translator Altantuya Shaariibuu, then 28, the jilted lover of Najib's best friend, Abdul Razak Baginda. Two of Najib's bodyguards have been convicted of the murder. In general, according to a think-tank source in Kuala Lumpur, "Judges in High Court have been giving very independent judgments that have been overturned by the Court of Appeal. So let's wait and see whether this will happen again." The judges, according to another source, were appointed during the six years when Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was prime minister. Badawi in 2003 succeeded Mahathir Mohamad, who had ruled as premier for 22 years and whose reign was notable for his emasculation of the country's judiciary. Lau Bee Lan was one of Badawi's appointees, in December of 2004, as was Abdul Aziz Abdul Rahim. Syed Ahmad Helmy was appointed by Mahathir at the end of his reign, however. Although Badawi was roundly criticized for appointing Zaki Azmi, a former UMNO lawyer, as chief justice, Zaki has evolved into an effective jurist, a Kuala Lumpur source said, making strides to clean up a backlog of cases and engineering the appointment of independent judges. "It was one of the few things [Badawi] did do right," said a Malay businessman in Kuala Lumpur. "For once - after two decades - even the Bar Council is becoming optimistic about the judiciary. But there's still a lot of rot left over from Mahathir to clean up. It's a daunting task." Mahathir's subjugation of the judiciary began in 1988 amid an intraparty revolt against Mahathir's leadership of the United Malays National Organisation, when a Malaysian high court ruled that UMNO was illegal. With the case going to the Supreme Court, now known as the Federal Court which had issued other adverse rulings against the government, Mahathir in effect fired Salleh Abbas, the Lord President, along with three other Supreme Court justices. From that time forward, there were few if any decisions that went against the government. That ultimately blew up in late 2007 with an enormous scandal with the publication of a videotape that purported to show VK Lingam, an influential lawyer friend of Mahathir's, in conversation with Ahmad Fairuz Sheikh Abdul Halim, then the country's third-ranking judge who was in charge of most senior judges. The conversation seemed to indicate that Mahathir was closely involved in the appointment of malleable judges favorable to the then-prime minister's closest cronies, particularly gaming tycoon Vincent Tan. Syed Hamid, the Shah Alam High Court judge who ordered Raja Petra freed, was appointed to his position during the reign of one notorious Supreme Court head, Eusoff Chin, who himself was accused of a host of judicial irregularities. The Attorney General in December said Lingam was probably only bragging and declined to prosecute him. The current case began in January of 2008 when the Malaysian cabinet reinstituted the cancellation of the Roman Catholic newspaper's publishing license for using the word "Allah" interchangeably with "God" in its Malay language section. The Herald, which prints in English, Bahasa Malaysia, Tamil and Chinese, was first notified that it would no longer be allowed to use the word "Allah" on October 18 and November 1, 2007. But after informing the publication of the decision, a representative from the Internal Security Ministry later delivered a letter with the permit to print without restrictions, the publication's editor, Father Lawrence Andrew, told the media at the time. The permit was withdrawn, however, a week later, when the ministry approved the paper's publication permit only on condition that the word "Allah" be prohibited and that the paper only be circulated to Christians. The church responded that the Malay-language edition of the paper is mostly read by tribes who converted to Catholicism or other Christian faiths, the preponderance of them in the East Malaysia states of Sabah and Sarawak, and that no other word would suffice to describe the deity. Numerous religious scholars have pointed out that since Christians, Muslims and Jews worship the same god, calling the deity "God" in English means exactly the same thing as calling him "Allah" or "Yahweh" in other languages. The issue has become intensely political, however, with Malaysia's increasingly assertive fundamentalist Muslims concerned that the Christians are proselytizing Malays in an effort to lure them away from Islam. In her decision, Justice Lau, however, said the federal constitution allows the church to use "Allah" in the Herald as an exercise of its right to practice religions other than Islam. The constitution, she ruled in an oral opinion, gives the church "the right to use the word 'Allah' in the Herald in the exercise of his right to freedom of speech and expression." Critics have charged that Justice Lau is a Christian, which influenced her decision. One website stated that she takes at least 15 days per year to teach Bible studies throughout the country. Others have pointed out that if the case had been passed to a Muslim judge, the chance for influence was as great if not greater.
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(57)
 written by asimo , May 05, 2010
As you know in east-malaysian commonly the christian bible use Jesus as Allah...As my understanding the original bible is in hebrew language.And their(christian scholar) derive or translate it to English.If you know RSV(Revised standard version) the most close to Jesus lifetime and the most accurate bible, the word "Allah" is not exist..In the bible it describe Jesus as son of God...Not son of "Allah"..Christian scholar should ask pope or archbishop to standardize their bible in English version.That's why in sarawak or sabah the major religion in both state is dominated by christian faith..Whose said we(Chrisitan,muslim,indian) worshiping same god?Christian believe in Tuhan Jesus or Allah Jesus(Sound's weird) and trinity(Pagan ideology).And YES Allah in bahasa is Tuhan...and because of that we(Islam) not allowed to recite al-quran in bahasa as the original revelation is in Arabic.." Ashaduallah illahaillallah waashaduana muhammadarasullulah" mean...There is no God accept allah(not jesus) that i worship -ALLAH which is HIS name -and Muhammad is messenger of Allah..In Bahasa: Aku bersaksi tiada tuhan yang aku sembah melainkan ALLAH-dan aku bersaksi nabi muhammad itu persuruh allah"...OK if you can see "sembah melainkan ALLAH" and "Pesuruh Allah"..Any muslim over the world use ALLAH when recite these testimony(Khalimah shahadah).Why their not interpret ALLAH in english as GOD??..There is no God accept God that i worship -and Muhammad is messenger of God..in Bahasa...Tiada Tuhan yang aku sembah melainkan TUHAN dan aku bersaksi nabi muhammad itu persuruh Tuhan...YOu see the comparison between God-Tuhan and Allah...GOD or TUHAN is general word using by most of the peoples...but Allah is Specific word which is Tawheed(Oneness,uniques) unlike christian they believe in trinity ,the one God exists in three Persons and one substance, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit..If you change it God to Allah it will sound's weird or strange..These is not tawheed.. even you used allah in bahasa...1 Allah wujud dalam 3 karakter tetapi 1(Like nescafe 3 in 1)...ayah,anak,dan ruhul qudus.. you see in english it said "The one god(ALLAH)" which is specific(singular) in three Persons(ALLAH or GOD's)(which is plural) father, son and holy ghost...The point is their used word "Allah" as PLURAL not singular as Islamic understanding...so the word ALLAH is no point for Christian to translate it in BAHASA..because in Bahasa Allah is Tuhan...their(Christian) can use Tuhan but not Allah which is Word Allah is Specific...
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written by Mr. Sadden , January 29, 2010  it marks the end of civility in Malaysia.....the 1Malaysia will not work if the majority race keeps harping on protecting its so called "ancestral rights" on everything ( ie. first to have everything that is lucrative) while leaving the other race to pick up the scraps. Its an unspoken fact in their minds among the major race in Malaysia that the rest are an "immigrant race", thus treated as so. There is no level playing field so how can the " 1" Malaysia be achieved???? report abuse
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written by Ken , January 28, 2010
I found the Malays are cool headed here. More often, they don't posting offended things about the other races whereby the non-malays always offending and most often making bigotry & racist remarks towrds the Malay Muslims. After the latest incident happened in the mosques, the Malays are still behaved quite rational handling the situation, whereby the others were extremely outbursting unnecessarily and very terrorising especially when incidents happened in churches and sikhs temple. This is the major difference i see with the races in Malaysia.
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written by Swagger Jyothi , January 27, 2010
The arrests by the Malaysian Police of bloggers who were stating facts only go to show that Malaysia is a Police State. This is not uncommon in a “failing state”. Look at Iran, Zimbabwe and Congo to name a few. Many bloggers have fled the country. The Allah is issue is a deception! When the issue is raised why select a Chinese Catholic Judge? In Anwar Ibrahim’s trial-why an Indian (so called Christian Judge), the late so and so…?
Votes: +10
There is no Freedom of Speech, Assembly or Rule of Law in Malaysia-the exception is UMNO members (The Rogue Party). Over the past 50 years the Barisan Nasional has “rolled back” all the institutions that were set up by the British-the Civil Service, Judiciary, Police, and Anti-Corruption among many others. One only needs to compare what was part of Malaysia, Singapore to see how rotten Malaysia is! Any fool can see that. During the Mahathir era and after, no loans were taken from the World Bank. Malaysian politicians were singing praises of how wonderful Malaysia was not to need the World Bank. I am not a great supporter of the World Bank but my point will be made soon. Even a hawker will tell you never to use your own money in business-always get money from the bank. You may need your personal money for a rainy day. But there is a reason why Malaysia never borrows from the World Bank like all developing countries. The Malaysian government does not want to be accountable. Petronas is a cash cow. The World Bank requires –good governance, transparency and accountability-something that bloggers were talking about were necessary! Malaysia and Mahathir uses the Malaysian treasure-Oil (Petronas) like a blank cheque. The Royalty enjoyed from this. During Mahathir’s time-$150 billion was lost. Mahathir now claims $250 billion was lost from Petronas during Badawi’s time! Unbelievable! Yet if you walk around the outskirts in Malaysia you will see poverty. UMNO has kidnapped all the democratic institutions to stay in power. Infact the illegal act of taking over the Perak State Assembly goes too show how dangerous and desperate The Najib Government is. Najib is in a quagmire: if he allows democracy, his party will lose control of the country and if that happens-he will be in jail with three quarters of his cabinet. If he refuses to allow democracy, the World will take notice –all will be clear and obvious that his government is undemocratic. So we have a semblance of democracy from time to time to appease foreign governments. The trumped charges against Anwar Ibrahim make Malaysia a laughing stock. I say this because the doctors examining the victim say that he was not raped (buggered). It’s all a figment of imagination conceived by the executive, supported by a bunch of fools who are the legislative body and carried out by a moron –His Majesty’s Attorney General of Malaysia! What a comedy. While all this is going on and in the ruling government made up by parasites. Finally, many Malaysian are convinced that the growing disrespect for other religions, including the recent allegations of pigs being thrown at two mosques is being organized by the UMNO led Barisan government. Many right-thinking Muslims have no objections to Non-Muslims using the word Allah. Khalid Ahmad from PAS (Malaysia’s Islamic Party in the opposition) supports Non-Muslim use of the word Allah in the Bible. But Zulkifli Nordin retorts “Noone can stop me from defending Islam”. Nordin is the type of person in Malaysia who should be arrested for inciting religious violence. I am informed that the party is taking action against him and hopefully he will be expelled from the party and would in all likelihood be welcomed with open arms at UMNO HQ. There is a grave danger that the Barisan Nasional government has unleashed Muslim fanatics (MFs) to create racial/religious disaffection to avoid answering a multitude of questions now being posed by right thinking Malaysian. Hishamuddin Hussein Onn is one of them and there are many. The danger is that the Barisan Government is playing with fire. We have seen ethnic/religious tension culminating in violence. To name a few Bosnia/Croatia/Serbia, Sri Langka, N Ireland, Rwanda and the list can go one. Does Malaysian want that or do we want an honest Government? The dice is cast! Support me by clicking on the agreement button! report abuse
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written by Ng Cheng , January 26, 2010
Solly, forgot to add www maaa.
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Click that again , and enjow............ report abuse
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written by Ng Cheng , January 26, 2010
Now just go to the title, and click. Enjoy..........
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written by Wilson Pereira , January 26, 2010
Some Malays are begining to think that ALLAH is a name of a Malay God and hence they have exclusive rights to its usage eventhough it was originally used by Arabic Christians. Such is the level of illiteracy, other nations are laughing at their stupidity. The learned and diligent judge has quoted numerous examples to explain why the Arabic word Allah can be used by other races. Some of the Malays are so "thick and stupid and brainwahed" nothing can educate them.
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written by kenu , January 25, 2010
What does the Quran say about this? Can Non Muslims use or not use the term Allah?
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STick to your originality, chamelieon, Lowly rated comment [Show]
One way to solve the 'Allah' problem is to prohibit the non-malays to study Bahasa Melayu. They are to be schooled in English, speak English and live like English. After all, these non-malays like to migrate to non-mulim countries. So the non-malays could be banned from using the Arab word 'Allah'.
Votes: +4
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written by Christopher Johnson , January 19, 2010
Mahathir has lamented that it is not good to cast Malaysia as bad over the Allah issue. I am not sure if he has realised that this man who built megastructures failed miserably to unite the races in Malaysia. In fact under his rule, the communities have become so divisive by the Bumiputra policies, that it has become difficult for subsequent governments to rebuild the broken bridge. A persons greatest achievement in Life is to build bond between communities and not build big buildings. Your comments are neither valued nor warranted.
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ARABHAHIM FAITH- What wrong using the Arabic Word "ALLAH" to GLORIFY GOD? I am sure HE will be angry if we use HIS name to KILL, DESTROY or IN VAIN. Is this so called 1 Malaysia policy? 1 Malaysia mean no racial or religious based POLICY or What...........
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written by John lobo , January 15, 2010
The Malaysian government is so scarred that Malays will become confused if other religions use the word Allah. It is so silly to assume that the Malays are by nature stupid and unable to reason. The word Allah was use by Arabic Christians some 300 years before Prophamet Mohammed and no body can claim exclusive rights to it, especially the mongrels who destroy places of worship.
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written by Kundi Payan , January 14, 2010
With more Indians like Gopal Raj Kumar, the Indians will be sitting on Banana Trees. I am baffalled with such STUPIDITY from Gopal Raj Kumar who probably has alinged himself with people like samy Vello and the IMPOTENT MIC.
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In 1970s, the Government reversed English among non-Malays for the simple reason to undevelop them.In contrast Mara and other SEGREGATED Malay Institutions, students of Malay origin were taught in English.today, many Non-Malays cant speak good English.This was teh educational genocide created by the mischevious and malicious Razak. Today his son is doing the same thing-now he wants to slevt which word can be English and whats its connatation-cannot blow hot and cold. But we have fools like GOPAL to carry the Balls.. Indonesia the biggest Muslim democracy translate Allah as GOD! Thionk before you write-Moron and a Half from Sungei Siput!!!! I dont waste my time looking at your stupid website. Cheap Bugger!!! report abuse
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written by 1Malaysia , January 14, 2010
Don't fight, sit down and come with solution...
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Maybe to agree together on the usage of the word Allah in the following manner... the word 'Allah' to be retained by muslim and christian the word 'Al-lah' or 'allah' for christian report abuse
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Lau Bee Lan's Decision, Lowly rated comment [Show]
written by joe , January 10, 2010
One simple fact - malays are emotional and do not use rational thinking. This when religion becomes dangerous.
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written by Janggal , January 09, 2010
This is what happened when you have Chinese Judge to interprete Malay word for god. IT should be Dewa, Tuhan, Semangat or Jembalang - if ghost is consider as god.
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..., Lowly rated comment [Show]
written by Lang Cheow San , January 09, 2010
This case show that the Government of Malaysia is run by UMNO-the other parties are ARSE LICKERS. The worst is MCA-I cannot believe that for money , the chinese leaders have sold the chinese. Why dont MCA stand up for the Christian Lord-surely there are Christians in the Barisan Nasional Co-olition.I am ashamed-For money you sell your soul.MCA sole Merdeka University for the Chinese-Pariah Party.Cant blame the Malays community-they have cheap skate MCA to be the ass licker! Malu lah China!
Votes: +3
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If the UMNOputras can do this to the Christians, who's to prevent them from doing the same thing to their fellow Muslims. Since now they want to copyright the name "Allah" and the priesthood of Islam Hadhari will definitely serve their every wishes faithfully, don't you think that those fellow Muslims who oppose them will be declared unbelievers and will be stopped from using the name "Allah". Remember a few years back there was an attempt by the UMNOputras to pressure the Agong to declare PAS as infidels and to ban them? Real frightening scenario indeed!
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written by Mahathir , January 07, 2010
The racist Talibans of UMNO will try to stir up problems to go one up against the PAS.
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written by Minarets , January 07, 2010
http://www.bangkokpost.com/print/164636/
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A Malaysian court on Wednesday suspended a ruling that allowed a Catholic newspaper to use the word "Allah", after the government argued the decision could cause racial conflict. Malaysia's high court ruled last week that the Herald weekly had the right to use the word "Allah", after a long-running dispute with the government in the Muslim-majority nation. The paper has been using the word as a translation for "God" in its Malay-language section, but the government argued it should be used only by Muslims. Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail welcomed the high court's decision to issue a stay order pending an appeal on the ruling in favour of the church, which triggered a series of protests from Muslim groups. "I made the request for a stay as it is a matter of national interest," Abdul Gani said at the court. report abuse
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written by KBA , January 07, 2010
Religion was created so that we don't feel so lonely on this planet which is so very tiny when compared to the whole universe. God was created so that we have a direction & that someone is always there to guide us (like a teacher). Religion keep us safe, focused & able to go thru with this life you have on this planet. That is good.
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Unfortunately....religion becomes negative when it has been abused or overused. And that is what happens now. There is no heaven or hell. It's all in your imagination & beliefs. There is earth & the universe. So....do stop there & start thinking. report abuse
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written by Irene Puah Siew Hoon , January 06, 2010
Nice to see some truly independent judge doing her job in Malaysia. A pity we only have LKY-lickers in Singapore in such jobs.
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written by Raju , January 06, 2010
UMNO wants to copyright "Allah".
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Next maybe "MacDonald"? Will that make the Arabs furious later over the monopoly of "Allah" which is meant for the peoples of the BOOK just like it stupidly stole the Indonesian cuisines and called them Malaysian. Then Indonesia bergan to react. Malaysia really bodoh. Caling its space tourist "astronaut" on par with the Russian cosmonaut, Chinese taikongnaut and American astronaut. It should be called "angkasa-nut". report abuse
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written by ajajal , January 05, 2010
Will the UMNO malay like to ban the use of Satan .?? They may be fitted well as the later. Satan is
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also read along with ALLAH in the Quaran. Just my guess they will do that. report abuse
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written by Rajan , January 05, 2010
"Allah" is Arab's!
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"Tuhan" is Malay's. So go ask the Arabs whether the people of the BOOK can use their word "Allah"? Why the Malays for goodness sake. The masses can't even read & understand the Arabic Koran! report abuse
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written by Bible-came-first , January 05, 2010
"According to the Judeo-Christian perspective, Islam did not exist until the ministry and preaching of Muhammad in the seventh century CE. Originally portrayed as the anti-Christ by many Christians, the image of Muhammad later began to be portrayed somewhat more favorably among certain elements of the Christian clergy and scholars. However, the Judeo-Christian perspective still perceives that Islam originated with Muhammad, and that Muhammad created Islam by borrowing heavily from both rabbinical Judaism and from Christianity. Concerning the alleged borrowing from Christianity, it is traditionally held that Muhammad most frequently took from the teachings of the Eastern churches and from a variety of apocryphal Christian writings. Thus, from the Judeo-Christian perspective, Islam originated in the seventh century CE as an amalgamation of Judaism and Christianity.
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To summarize, the Judeo-Christian perspective posits the following step-wise evolution of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Primitive or proto-Judaism can be traced to the primitive covenant between Allah and Noah. However, Judaism really has its origin with the covenant between Allah and Abraham, a covenant, which was exclusively inherited by Isaac, then by Jacob, and then by the Israelites. The covenant was then reformulated with Moses, and Judaism as a full-blown religion began. Central to the maintenance of Judaism as a distinct religious practice was the temple cult, with its focus on the act of sacrifice at the Solomonic Temple in Jerusalem. Thereafter, various Israelites strayed from observance of the covenant, resulting in Allah sending prophets, who reaffirmed the Mosaic covenant, but neither added to nor modified it. This state of affairs continued until the new covenant of Christ, from which Christianity emerged. Almost 600 years later, Muhammad, borrowing heavily from both rabbinical Judaism and from Christianity, created the religion of Islam." report abuse
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written by jobin , January 05, 2010
if the islam religion fears so greatly that its members may depart to another religion, so greatly fears this that the islam government must use force to prevent such migrations, that says much about the weakness of isalm, surely. i will never be your friend if you use force, or threats of force, upon me. but if i use loving kindness and acceptance that men and women are free to choose their own path to god, or allah, then we may be friends.
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written by Syed , January 05, 2010
Malays don't own the word "Allah". The romanised script belongs to the West. Even Jawi is Arab's.
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Only the original people Muslims i.e. the Arabs can decide. The way it looks "Allah" in the Middle East is used by all the 3 peoples of the BOOK. Period. report abuse
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Allah, Lowly rated comment [Show]
The underlying reason, Lowly rated comment [Show]
written by vsp , January 04, 2010
I read in one of the UMNO-supported blogs saying that Islam is the sole property of the Malays. He is wrong, Islam is a universal religion, just as Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism are universal religions. Where in the constitution was it stated that Allah cannot be used by others? The east Malaysians and the Sikhs have been using the word "Allah" for hundred of years. I doubt that Sabah and Sarawak would be willing to be part of Malaysia if it were known that they cannot use the word "Allah" in their worship of God. In so doing, have they insulted Allah and have the law being thrown at them? No, it did not happen for years since Independence, but only recently when UMNO were forced against the ropes by their opponents did they exploit the sanctity of Islam to sanction their misdeeds.
Votes: +32
Religion is a very powerful tool and whoever controls it wrongly would bring untold misery for the masses. History is replete with many horrible atrocities, all committed in the name of religion. The decaying Roman Catholic Church before the Reformation, Hilter and many Islamic regime today all used religions as the basis for their justification to do harm. Even before there is a Islam, the word Allah was used. Islam, Christianity and Judaism worship the same God so it doesn't matter what name is used for God. It can be interchangeable with the language that is being used. Christianity believe that the message of God should be transmitted in the local language unlike Islam Hadhari which wants its believers to imitate the Arabs. So like the east Malaysians who only speaks the local language, Allah has been in use for many years. Mahathir confirms this: "I accept the term 'Allah' had been used in Sabah and Sarawak before the two states joined Malaysia." For Christians who speak other languages such as English, Chinese or Tamil you don't find them referring to God as Allah because that was not the term of God in that particular language. Just like if we use the term "car" in English and "kereta" in Malay it doesn't mean that "car" is a horse and "kereta" is a buffalo. Both refer to a road vehicle with four wheels. Was there anywhere in the Koran where the name of Allah is confined within the Islamic religion only? In fact the Koran states that it would be a confirmation of the greatness of God if other religion should refer him as Allah. Because "Allah" is the term for God in the Arabic language. In Islam Allah is unfathomable to the mind of mere mortals. Words are insufficient to describe the attributes of God. That's why there are 99 other names for Allah and still it would be wanting. Allah is all-powerful. It's only men who have inferiority complex who want to confine Allah in a gilded cage. As a Muslim one should be proud that other religion wants to use Allah as a term of reference. Let's be frank about it. The Islam that is practiced in Malaysia is purely political Islam. It is about control and stupefying the masses into accepting man-made rules. UMNO which is so corrupt does follow the true dictates of Allah but only uses Islam to perpetuate their rule with cruelty and unIslamic methods. Religion is just a tool for them to silence any divergent views. Pity the Malays who do not see this subterfuge of UMNO. The Malay race will not progress for a thousand years with such siege mentality and inferiority complex until they throw off this yoke of UMNO bondage. report abuse
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written by kanchil , January 04, 2010
The only way to prevent anyone from using the word "allah" is to copyright it - which the Muslims/Malays cannot do. Yet they are behaving like they have the copyright! This is the incomprehensible logic of their intellect. They are struggling to contain their demise as their world becomes rotten in the core. No moral values, no discipline, no intellect, not hardworking, sexually depraved and meiopic to the extreme. No wonder the Malays have failed to govern the country as it should be. Anyway the Malays have no "Malaysian nationalism". They only have "Malay nationalism" - which will explain all their policies. That's why the country in going down the drain but the Malays have their pockets full of money. All policies are made to benefit the Malays. The non Malays do not figure in their planning. That's how Malaysia will be taken over by another power. The Malays couldn't care less as long as they have money in their pockets. Like the Malacca sultanate of 400 years ago, the Chinese will have to bail out Malaysia again.
Votes: +14
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written by Dogboy , January 04, 2010
Why the Herald use Allah instead of Tuhan is not relevant here. The principal and upholding the federal constitution is the focus and the Herald has done nothing wrong. Why bow to UMNO pressure just because they use religion to divide and conquer. Only certain Muslims feel threatened and are protesting and that is because they are fanatics and bigots and use religion to touch base with what they hope is a majority Muslim support base.
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Its a fact the word Allah does not belong to Muslims so these morons should just give it up as they are showing thir bigotry for the whole world to see. Now you know why foreigners prefer to retire in Thailand than Malaysia, eventhough Malaysia has thrown down the welcome mat more so than Thailand. report abuse
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written by anonymous guy , January 04, 2010
Hello Malaysia fellow Muslims, stop fredding and cry baby over petty religious issues, we are already now living in a 2nd decade of 21st century, so wake up and move on in life. There are far more important issues the world have to deal with than brooding over issues that leads to nowwhere.
Votes: +6
Stop that senseless protests that don't hold water ! report abuse
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written by ... , January 04, 2010
Ask any Arabian, they'll tell you Allah means God.
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Allah is not the NAME of any god... Allah is simply the Arabic word for God. Depending on your religion, you may have different opinions on who your god is. In islam, Allah is the one and only God. In Christianity, because they believe that Jesus is King, and that Jesus is God, so God has been personified (God made man in the likeness of Himself). Therefore, in saying that Allah = Jesus, is proposterous. Our Muslim friends should know better that in Islamic context, Allah is the one and only God. A person with strong islamic faith would never be confused and convert to Christianity over a minute terminological discrepancy. report abuse
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written by nemo , January 04, 2010
raju!!!!
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god in malay is tuhan not allah.. claim malaysian but stil "bodoh" about bahasa malaysia report abuse
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written by Mavericko , January 04, 2010
Reference from Wikipedia: Allah is used by Arabic-speakers of all Abrahamic faiths, including Christians and Jews, in reference to "God".
Votes: +17
Celaka umNO! report abuse
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Allah existed in Mecca before the Prophet was born., Lowly rated comment [Show]
written by One but many names , January 04, 2010
The Justice who ruled that 'Allah' can be used by the Catholic Herald is non-Muslim.
Votes: +9
The fanatics will likely appeal to a Muslim judge to overturn this decision. report abuse
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written by Lightning Raju , January 04, 2010
The legal point is very simple. In Bahasa Malaysia the word for God is Allah. Bahasa Malaysia is the National Language. The policy of the Malaysian government is that everyone should use the National Language-Bahasa Malaysia. This is what the Herald Newspaper is trying to do.The question of whether it will mislead Muslims has nothing to do with it. Frankly, its an insult and absurd to think that a Muslim will be that stupid. So when the Government stops a Newspaper from using the national Language it is illegal-That is the decision made which is correct.No big fuss necessary!
Votes: +22
The other point I would like to raise is why is the Government involved in this ? They should have been neutral on this issue.the Government has NO LOCUS STANDI as they are not a relevant party. Either MUIS or some relevant party can appeal. The Government is Barisan Nasional inter alia-why are they taking sides of the Muslim population when we have 1 malaysia? report abuse
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written by Heaven on Earth , January 04, 2010
Those Muslim suicide-bombers who are dumb enough to kill themselves, are probably roasting in Hell right row.
Votes: +13
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written by Ibat , January 04, 2010
Wise Guy,
Votes: -3
You are free to believe or not believe in religion. But I disagree with you that the world would be a better place without religion. Thousands of years before any constitutionalised nation exist, before any written law exist by man exist, humans have been commanded not to kill as they like. This is just one example where the law laid down by religion precedes human written law. Even if you have to go to war IN DEFENCE of yourself, there is a code which limits your conduct in war, at least that is the rule in Islam. Yes, there are stupid believers who are stupid enough to conduct their lives against the rules of the religion they profess, which gives ammunition for athiest to counter religion and God's existence. Many wars are fought for political greed but made out to be in the name of religion and God. Many arguments between believers (even of the same religion) are today stupid, and ignorant of the basic tenets of their religion to be tolerant, moderate and really only driven by lust for power and greed for property. A man who does not believe in God is a man who believes himself an accident. report abuse
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written by andrianto , January 03, 2010
Here in indonesia the christian use the word Allah as well. The different is only on pronunciation. No problem here for all i know.
Votes: +24
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Consider the case of a Christian Arab coming to Malaysia and using words like "Allah" and "assalaammualaikum". Since he is not a Muslim he can be prosecuted under some of our state laws - for speaking his mother tongue?
Votes: +24
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written by Wise Guy , January 03, 2010
Religions divide people, e.g. India vs. Pakistan. Now it's happening in Malaysia also. Use your brain to think. Muslims believe that their God is the the true God. Christians believe that their God is the true God. Chinese believes the God is the true God. It's clear that God is a creation of human imagination. It's time to flush religions down the toilet. The world would be a better place without religions.
Votes: +1
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written by Ibat , January 03, 2010
Malaysian Patriot, Thanks.. but at the moment it seems more disagree than agree with me. I do know that in east malaysia, the bible in native language editions have used Allah since long ago. The melayu (muslim) in Malaya probably didn't know that. But then UMNO was not in east malaysia until recently in Sabah. There was never a ketuanan melayu (muslim) debate in east malaysia. Nobody needed to 'defend' Islam/ Allah in east malaysia ... probably the muslims there knew that Allah can look after Himself, that if Allah does not consent anyone to recognise His Name as God.. He'll take care of that... Glory be to Allah! So when a catholic publication wanted to use Allah instead of Tuhan in bahasa malaysia .. the melayu (some .. Nik Aziz didn't mind, Dr. Asri didn't mind) from UMNO created a fuss.. to protect muslims (read malay), of course! So yeah..maybe you're right..all the fuss is political. But I still wonder why the catholic herald would not use Allah for God in its english edition and all other language editions? I cannot accept that Allah can only be used in bahasa malaysia because Allah is not bahasa malayu origin.
Votes: +6
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written by Malaysian Patriot , January 03, 2010
Ibat, Well said. I like it when you say "A muslim should not be fearful of himself or his muslim brothers/sisters being led astray by a bahasa malaysia bible which use the name Allah for God, if his or her own akidah is steadfast."
Votes: +10
The problem is there is fear mongering that weak muslims would be led astray becuase of the use. But let's get the picture straight. The term "Allah" has been used by East Malaysians for as long as one can remember. It was how their forefather's worship. The use in Catholic Publication is meant for them (East Malaysians). They're doing/using, what their forefathers has used. why an issue now? THere is no "agenda" You have described Allah well from the perspective of Islam. They have their perspective on their Allah. The views are expected to be slightly different because of the BASIC FACT that you are from different religions. Why must they change the practice of their forefathers? The problem is in poor understanding of our fellow East Malaysians and their culture/practice. And of course some parties stoking fear and suspicion among peace-loving Malaysians. It's making a mountain out of a Molehill. There is a political agenda, but certainly not a religious one. Peace report abuse
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written by Malaysian Patriot , January 03, 2010
Ibat, Well said. I like it when you say "A muslim should not be fearful of himself or his muslim brothers/sisters being led astray by a bahasa malaysia bible which use the name Allah for God, if his or her own akidah is steadfast."
Votes: +6
The problem is there is fear mongering that weak muslims would be led astray becuase of the use. But let's get the picture straight. The term "Allah" has been used by East Malaysians for as long as one can remember. It was how their forefather's worship. The use in Catholic Publication is meant for them (East Malaysians). They're doing/using, what their forefathers has used. why an issue now? THere is no "agenda" You have described Allah well from the perspective of Islam. They have their perspective on their Allah. The views are expected to be slightly different because of the BASIC FACT that you are from different religions. Why must they change the practice of their forefathers? The problem is in poor understanding of our fellow East Malaysians and their culture/practice. And of course some parties stoking fear and suspicion among peace-loving Malaysians. It's making a mountain out of a Molehill. There is a political agenda, but certainly not a religious one. Peace report abuse
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written by Steven Ong , January 03, 2010
From various comments by Muslims, it is as though only Malays and Muslims can used the Arabic name Allah. If this is the case they should applied for the exclusive rights to use Allah from the Arabs themself. Then we can see who is right.
Votes: +9
Its very clear that the main reason for all the fuses and objections is to prevent Muslims from apostasing and nothing else. Some Malay Muslims are trying hard to control its own failure to stamp the increasing support for the opposition. report abuse
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written by Steven Ong , January 03, 2010
From various comments by Muslims, it is as though only Malays and Muslims can used the Arabic name Allah. If this is the case they should applied for the exclusive rights to use Allah from the Arabs themself. Then we can see who is right.
Votes: +3
Its very clear that the main reason for all the fuses and objections is to prevent Muslims from apostasing and nothing else. Some Malay Muslims are trying hard to control its own failure to stamp the increasing support for the opposition. report abuse
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Dear Sentinel,
Votes: +34
I beg to disagree with your statement in the 1st paragraph of this article that mentioned, "outrage on the part of Muslims." From the many comments made by several Muslim leaders, it is obvious that the UMNO Muslims are the ones outraged. Most of the Muslims from PAS and PKR, including Dato Seri Anwar and Tok Guru Nik Aziz, have openly declared that it is in order. Kindly note this error in reporting. report abuse
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