By Dr Chen Man Hin, DAP life advisor
THE SILENT MAJORITY OF MALAYSIAN MUSLIMS MUST SPEAK UP AGAINST THE RULING TO BAN CHRISTIANS FROM INVOKING THE NAME OF ALLAH
The government ban on the use of ALLAH by Christians does not have the support of the majority of Malaysian Muslims. as a matter of fact, my impression is that the Muslim ummah in Malaysia are by and large solid citizens loyal both to the country and to their religion Islam, and do not buy the argument that the use of Allah by Christians would confuse the ummah.
PAS and PKR leaders like Anwar Ibrahim and Hadi Awang have openly stated that the use of Allah by christians is correct and allowed by Islam.
Anwar has said “With regard to the use of the word ALLAH, it cannot be disputed that Arabic speaking Muslims, Christians and Jews have collectively prayed to God as Allah throughout the last fourteen centuries.”
Muslim scholars like Dr Yusuj al-Qaradawi and Sheikh Dr Wahban Az-Zuhaili concurred that Allah is a ‘terminology shared with the adherents of the Abrahamic faith – Jews, Christians and Muslims. That the usage of the word Allah has never been the monopoly of the Islamic creed”
In the Middle East, a noted author Anthony Shadid wrote in the NY Times that ‘the word Allah infuses virtually every salutation, greeting and condolence, spoken upon departure and arrival, and at birth and death, a centuries-long refinement of mutual social exchanges that ensures no moment is awkward. INSHALLAH, GOD WILLING, everyone says about everything in the future tense, from an appointment the next day to the sun rising in the east’
SO FROM THE VIEWPOINT OF HISTORY, CULTURE AND ISLAMIC JURISPRUDENCE, THE USAGE OF ALLAH IS A NON-ISSUE. THE MUSLIM WORLD CONSIDER IT AS A NON-ISSUE. WORLD OPINION CONCURS, AND THEY ASK ‘WHAT IS ALL THE FUSS ABOUT?’
It is Umno that is kicking up the fuss for their own political motives. They claim that allowing Christians the usage of Allah would confuse the Malay Muslims. The majority of Muslims in the country do not buy the Umno argument, for the simple reason that Jews, Christians and Muslims have called the Almighty as Allah for centuries, and the Muslims have not been confused, but have gathered strength and influence over the centuries. In the same way both Muslims and Christians in Malaysia will pray to Allah and ask for peace, harmony and prosperity.
If Umno persists in imposing the ban on christians, Malaysia will be the laughing stock in the Muslim world as well as to the world in general. The world will not look kindly on a country that denies religious freedom to its citizens. Foreign investors will stay away for fear there will be disturbances, and this will affect the economy, which will affect the daily lives of the people.
THE UMMAH IN MALAYSIA SHOULD REJECT THE RIDICULOUS BAN ON THE USAGE OF ALLAH BY CHRISTIANS. THE SILENT MAJORITY OF RIGHT THINKING MUSLIMS MUST SPEAK UP FOR THEIR RIGHTS AND MOVE INTO THE MAINSTREAM OF A MODERN GLOBAL WORLD WHERE THE PEOPLE OF DIFFERENT RACES AND RELIGIONS LIVE IN PEACE, HARMONY AND PROGRESS.
Where are the list of names of those Malay who are confused by the usage of the word “Allah” by the “non-MALAY”.
This is obviously not a religious matter
Okay ! perhaps somehow the word “Allah” has the magic of turning Malay into Christian.
Show us it is not just a hypocrisy, by stamping all Malays’ Passport with “Not Permit to travel to All countries” in place of “NOT PERMITTED TO TRAVEL TO ISRAEL”
Drop the appeal and issue warning ..” ISA for those who raise the issue again ”
As least then, we malaysian would be proud of the “MALAYSIA BOLEH!”
Ah, The Silent Majority! I remember President Nixon (villain of sorts) claimed the support of the “silent majority”.
To be effective, the silent majority must make itself heard. I agree that muslims who support the High Court decision should make themselves heard. This is a matter of conscience.
Only UMNO is not happy.In fact UMNO is trying to fan racial disharmony,thinking the general Malays will fall for their trap.In fact Malays are more educated now and can see that UMNO is a ticket for not Halal wealth.
Instead of playing the religion-card, the government should focus on the national economy before it loses steam and collapses. According to reports, Malaysia had the largest outflow of foreign funds among South East Asian countries in 2009.
The government’s insistence on prohibiting non-Muslims to use the word “Allxh” will alienate foreign investors who perceive Malaysia as a hardcore fundamentalist Islamic country associated with terrorist activities. The government’s unwise action will drag the national economy into doldrums or even into a tailspin.
Dr Chen, the majority of right thinking muslims in this country are not silent but are silenced, gagged if you like.
Any muslim who does not toe the UMNO line is dealt with harshly by PDRM, Riot Squad, JAIS, etc, etc.
How they treated even highly learnered muslim like Former Perlis Mufti Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin is just one of many, many examples.
The act of banning the usage of “Allah” by non-Muslims in Malaysia by the UMNO-led government is GROSSLY ABSURD.
This is a case where….. someone from another religion ‘prescribed’ to another person of a different religion on ‘how he should/supposed to address his God… or how he should pray’
This is crystal-clear example where the majorities bully the minorities…… sort of jungle law.
Is this ‘Religious Bully’…. an act which is ‘Halal’ from Islamic perspective?
“Hurt no one so that no one may hurt you. ”
– Muhammad, The Farewell Sermon
“ Never impose on others what you would not choose for yourself. ” — Confucius, Analects XV.24 (tr. David Hinton)
“ do not treat people in a way you would not wish to be treated yourself”-Golden Rule
source:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Golden_Rule_(ethics)
One ought to be able to laugh at the absurdity of it. But the message is one of ignorance, religious and racial prejudice and political opportunism…..
This carries two main dangers. The first is the continuing large scale exodus of capital and of talented non-Malays….A longer term danger….will generate secessionism in the Borneo states.
http://malaysia-today.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=29710:malay-provocation&catid=17:guest-columnists&Itemid=100130
Look at Swiss and French…how the government and people spoken..
chengho,
The Swiss has chosen the building model of cathedral as the theme shape for town planning in Switzerland, just like you Malay people have chosen Islam as your official religion.
The French wanted to prevent terrorist attack therefore noone is supposed to wear head scarf (tudung) covering their face in the public places, but they don’t care what you wear or what you don’t wear at your own home.
However, our Home Minister was doing too much by saying that a Catholic cannot worship “Allah” in Church or at home when they speak the Malay Language! A typical tyrannic rule!
Dr. Chen,
I think you or LKS should advice judge Lau Bee Lan to resign to keep up her dignity and show the world what this country is about.
I am sure every non-muslim will start contibuting every month to pay any losses if occures due to her resignation.
Onlooker Politics have the patience to teach Chengho…an established worn from BN….no shame to keep hero worshiping UMNO at all.
MGR1940….Smart idea that will not work.
Try harder.
Why should Judge Lau Bee Lan resign?
If she is sacked or life being made difficult by Najib…that is another story.
No …she should stay put…to show real brave judges are plenty that cannot be bought or sold..to betray real justices pronounced.
I am sure…UMNO buggers must have found out…she is not a Christian too.
You know…how fast UMNO can work on anything to favours them.
To keep you up to date…Nazri said Allah can be used by Federal Territory…but not in Selangor.
I guess he must have found out…FT voters…no hope for UMNO…and saying that ..to protect the Sultan of Selangor comment?
And right now…the Sultan’s company was revealed to be awarded with the RM500 million overpriced mosque in Shah Alam?
Why is he keeping quiet with so many waiting for his explanations?
Yes…it seems..money can buy Sultans loyalty too …to UMNO…just like their loyalties to the Japanese invaders..in the name of saving the citizens.
What high moral Sultans we do have.