http://hartalmsm. wordpress. com/2010/ 01/20/why- i-use-allah- a-laymans- perspective/Why I use 'Allah' - a layman's perspective
January 20, 2010
By Pastor Eu Hong Seng
In the current ongoing debate, some are of the opinion that Christians
should just give in and forego the use of the word "Allah" so that the
threats and attacks on churches will stop and Malaysia can continue to
enjoy her peace and move on unhindered to developed nation status.
Now, more than ever the country needs clear-minded Malaysians and not
"confused" citizens, Christians included.
There are ten salient facts and reasons and I would like to address
these to the ordinary man in the street and lay people in the Church.
(1)
1. The use of "Allah" predates Islam
"Allah" is the Arabic name for God, and it indeed pre-dates Islam and
even Christianity. The pagan Arabs of the Arabian Peninsula called God
"Allah," even though they worshipped hundreds of idols in addition.
Christians all across the Arab World today use the word "Allah" for
God, and if one were to read an Arabic Bible, he would find that God
is indeed called "Allah."
"Allah" is also the name that Jesus Christ called God. "Allah" is the
Arabic equivalent of "Elohim," which is Hebrew for God. The "im" is a
plural appendage of respect, and so the word is "Eloh," which is very
similar to "Allah."
In addition, the Aramaic word for God is "Alaha," and Aramaic was the
language which Jesus himself spoke.
Moreover, the word "Allah" is found in the English version of the
Bible which we read today.
In Matthew 27:46 we read: "About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a
loud voice, 'Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? ' - which means, 'My God, my
God, why have you forsaken me?'" The word "Eloi" is the Aramaic form
of the Arabic "Allah." (2)
It is important to know the fact that Christians in Malaysia didn't
start using "Allah" only recently, as some contends.
2. It is used all over the world by Christians.
The Arabic word is commonly used by Christians to describe God in such
countries as Egypt, Syria and Indonesia, the world's largest Muslim
nation.
So it is not just a Malaysian word, for the Malaysian context only.
One cannot just decide to copyright an "international" word and hope
to escape ridicule.
And anybody in Malaysia can tell you that it is more than just one
word that can be involved. The focus now may be on one word,
thereafter the contention will be expanded to include other words, and
at a later stage any other word or words that the "authorities" may so
decide.
3 "Allah" was used by East Malaysians before they joined Malaya
The SIB church was formed in Sarawak state in 1928, nearly 30 years
before Malaysia's independence, and were already using "Allah" in
their worship and literature.
And some of them don't even speak BM or English, only their own mother
tongue and in their mother tongue, the word used is "Allah." So it's
not only the Alkitab, the BM Bible. The other Scriptures which use
"Allah" are the Kalibatand Lunbawang Bible.
Daniel Raut, a senior leader of SIB Church - the largest
Malay-speaking congregation in the country - said it will not drop the
use of the word "Allah," even though Christians fear for their safety.
"Since our forefathers become Christians in the 1920s, we have been
using Allah even in our mother tongue," said Raut, who is from the
Lunbawang tribe in eastern Sarawak state.
Furthermore, how does one propose that its use be restricted to East
Malaysians only? What happens when they come to work in West Malaysia?
What about the thousands who are already in West Malaysia? What about
our existing West Malaysia Bahasa Malaysia churches? What happens when
an East Malaysian crosses over to Labuan (a Federal Territory) for the
weekend?
Some proponents of the "East Malaysia only" concept take it a step
further and suggest (to those of us in West Malaysia), "when in Rome,
do as the Romans do." The Malay equivalent is "Masuk kandang lembu,
menguak. Masuk kandang kambing mengembek" (When entering the cattle
pen, moo. When entering the goat pen, bleat). [That] Perhaps it is
time the new minority, moo and bleat with the majority.
Though debatable, the new political landscape has all the major
political parties, including the key partners of the Barisan, not
aligned with Caeser, on this issue.
4. The success of our National Language education policy
Since the introduction of the National Language policy, our emerging
generation has become more proficient in Bahasa Malaysia. And with the
continued emphasis, the next two generations can be expected to be not
only proficient but dependent on the Bahasa Malaysia as the lingua
franca in our nation.
Alongside the Allah contention, there are clear intentions to further
impose restrictions on other words like "Injil" (Gospel) and
"firman" (faith). (3)
So the logical question we all are asking is "how would this pan out?"
Any strategists will tell you that in winning the generational war,
ignore the "old diehards" and focus on the future generations.
Our grandchildren and great grand-children, will find themselves
reluctant to read Scriptures in a language they are less proficient
and also not be able to access the Alkitab, and also, perhaps be the
first generation who have never heard of "firman" and "Injil?"
I can understand the zeal of the government to Islamize the nation,
(4) but I pray that they can do so with honesty and integrity. "Bring
all to the table" and aim for the hearts. Malaysians will respect you
for that.
But no coercion, no bullying, no media misrepresentation, no
scrambling the minds of our children and no re-writing of Scriptures!
But I also pray that by the same token and in the true spirit of
religious freedom, the day will soon come, when others, if they so
desire be allowed to share their respective faiths with our Muslim
friends as is fully acceptable and permissible in Indonesia, the
largest Muslim country in the world.
Surely, Indonesia is a great example to us on what freedom of religion
is all about. Sharing one's faith with another should not be narrowly
interpreted as with 'intent to convert'. Understanding one another's
faith is surely an excellent way of promoting goodwill, peace and
harmony among the multi religious population in this lovely country of
ours.
Under the present circumstances, the many proposed "inter faith
dialogues" and formation of councils to facilitate such dialogues will
be nothing but a monologue, as the other faiths are "gagged" in the
name of the constitution.
5. Used by others as well
The Sikhs use "Allah" in their Scriptures. Do we stop them next?
What about Hindus, who also refer to one of their gods as "Allah?"
Rigveda is the most sacred scripture of the Hindus, and one of the
attributes given to God Almighty in Book no 2 Hymn no I verse II, is
'Ila' which if pronounced properly is the same as Allah. (5)
So it is not a Christian issue alone.
What the Christians are asked to do, the Sikhs and the Hindus will be
asked to do, eventually.
6. Constitutional right to "manage" our own religion
This right must include how we address our God.
Over enthusiastic bureaucrats, consequentially are interfering with
the worship & education of Christians - CDs have been confiscated,
Sunday School materials are held up by customs, besides the
confiscations of the Alkitab.
According to Prof. Dr. Shad Saleem Faruqi (6), the Malaysian
Constitution provides that Islam is the religion of the federation.
But all other religions may be practiced in peace and harmony: Article
3(1).
In respect of religion, every person has the right to three things:
1. To profess
2. To practice
3. And, subject to Article 11(4), to propagate his religion: Article 11(1).
Every religious group has the right to:
1. Manage its own affairs
2. Establish and maintain institutions for religious purposes.
3. Acquire and own property and administer it: Article 11(3).
4. Establish and maintain institutions for religious education:
Article 12(2). (7)
Our constitutional right, to manage our own affairs, to practice
religion freely has been increasing under threat particularly over the
past two decades.
7. Dictating what should be in the Scriptures of a major religion in the
world
This suggestion that another word be used is perhaps "the biggest joke."
Whether one agrees or not about the word is not the main issue.
The basic issue, lest we forget the obvious, is that each and every
religious Scriptures is the sacred book - of Christians (including the
Kalibat and Lunbawang), the Sikhs and the Hindus.
We are not talking about some supplementary textbooks or a "pseudo
scripture" just written recently.
Are those who argue for a substitute word suggesting that all these
Holy Books be re-written to accommodate a few?
If it is suggested by adherents of the respective faiths, this could
perhaps be more acceptable. But when followers of one faith, suggest
(and insist) that believers of another faith, re-write their
Scriptures to pander to their"unsubstantiat ed convictions" then we are
not too far from the "height of arrogance."
I know Malaysia is "boleh-land" but this move to "force" the other
religious groups to rewrite their Scriptures is preposterous.
8. Prominent scholars of Islam and Muslim organizations have supported
the use of "Allah" by Christians
In Malaysiakini dated 13th Jan 2010, Constitutional Law expert Abdul
Aziz Bari contends that it is pretty clear that the use of Allah by
Christians has some basis in the Quran.
This is strengthened by the exposition of eminent scholars, including
Egyptian scholar Shaykh Yusuf Al-Qaradawi (Maal Hijrah award recipient
2009) who said that Christians, as part of the Abrahamic faiths
together with the Jews and Muslims, can use the word 'Allah'. (8)
Earlier on, the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) on 4th Jan
2010, also issued a statement viz -
"With regards to actual and historical practices, Christian Arabs have
been using the word "Allah" to refer to God in their religious sources
since the inception of Islam, and have never been challenged by
private Muslims or Muslim governments on this ground. Islamic law is
clear that followers of the Christian faith have the right to practice
their religion according to their own religious teachings.
[Malaysia has long been a good example of Islamic tolerance and] We
call on the Malaysian government to uphold the religious freedom of
Christians and to let the court ruling stand. We also urge Muslim NGOs
to respect Islamic teachings and long-held Islamic traditions, and to
withdraw their opposition to the use of the word "Allah" by their
Christian compatriots. " (9)
We would like to hear from our government a more coherent and
intelligent response to these prominent voices than simply quote "this
is Malaysia."
9. Our State Anthems will take on a new meaning.
How does one sing the state anthems of Selangor, Perak, Kedah, Pahang,
Johor, Kelantan and Trengganu now, since there are references to
"Allah" in these songs, as it is now implied to refer to the Muslim
God only?
In schools, about 30 years ago, we were told we were singing to "God."
Now are our children to sing only to one particular God?
[See appendix below for list of affected State Anthems]
Unless, of course, one is liberal and don't mind singing to all gods
or any god or just the Muslim god.
10. We need to keep in mind that there was "good harmony" in the first
30 years after Merdeka, with freedom to use "Allah."
It never was an issue until enthusiastic politicians promulgated the
infamous ISA gazette in 1982, referring to the Alkitab as a document
"prejudicial to the national interest and security of the Federation."
The rest is history.
What an insult!
But the Christian community has always been a peace loving people. For
the sake of harmony, Christians engaged in closed door meetings in the
past, to negotiate "restricted use" of the word rather than to bring
it to the courts. And we were always assured by the government that we
could use our Alkitab.
But today, they are saying we cannot use the word and the various
government agencies started confiscating various Christian materials,
not just the Alkitab.
And the claim is we "used to accept it" - but that's because we have
been tricked into negotiating behind closed doors in the name of the
Malaysian culture of "talk and resolve quietly."
So because "nobody" heard from us, now they (even rulers) take
advantage and say, we accepted it all these while.
This is absolutely not true.
Christians have been moaning, complaining, objecting and writing to
the government for years.
Should we concede for the sake of peace alone?
Friends, perhaps the time of closed door meetings - where our views
are deliberately misrepresented (10) and compromised - where the
minority is always bullied and threatened into submission for the sake
of harmony and in the name of sensitivity, is over?
It is indeed sad, that after 52 years of independence, the country is
still not ready for mature dialogue, and is still struggling to hear
the voice of reason.
We disagree with this view, as the leaders of the Christian Federation
of Malaysia (CFM), the component members being the Roman Catholic, the
Council Churches of Malaysia and the National Evangelical Christian
Fellowship of Malaysia, have met on several occasions over the last
few years and have repeatedly affirmed the wishes of the Christians,
both in East and West Malaysia, ie we would not compromise on the use
of the word "Allah."
The dissenting voice is a very small minority and is obviously being
used to portray a misleading view.
I would urge all Christians to refer to the "Kuching Declaration"
dated Sept 1989, where the Roman Catholics, the CCM and the NECF came
together to formally adopt a united stand to use the word "Allah."
[See -
http://www.necf. org.my/newsmaste r.cfm?&action= view&menuid= 154&retrieveid= 976]
This is not a race issue, this is not a Malay supremacy issue, this is
not even a religious issue. And this is definitely not an East-West
Malaysia issue. (11)
Before us are simply constitutional and "human rights" issues, a call
to respect the spiritual convictions and Scriptures of other faiths.
This is simply a call to exercise common sense and to respect
boundaries - i.e. no rewriting Scriptures!
I hope and pray that the above facts and reasons would help Christians
understand that we are not insisting on using "Allah" to "irritate"
the "easily confused people" of the land.
We continue to pray for peace and seek a reasoned solution, so that
Malaysia can indeed shine as a land so affectionately known as "truly
Asia."
Appendix - State Anthems
Selangor
Duli Yang Maha Mulia
Selamat di atas takhta
Allah lanjutkan usia Tuanku
Rakyat mohon restu bawah Duli Tuanku
Bahagia selama-lamanya
Aman dan sentosa
Duli Yang Maha Mulia
Kedah
Allah selamatkan Sultan Mahkota
Berpanjangan usia diatas Takhta
Memelihara agama Nabi kita
Negeri Kedah serata-rata
Perak
Dilanjutkan Allah usianya Sultan
Adil dan murah memerintah watan
Ditaati rakyat kiri dan kanan
Iman yang soleh Allah kurniakan
Allah berkati Perak Ridzuan
Allah selamatkan Negeri dan Sultan.
Johor
Allah peliharakan Sultan
'Nugrahkan dia segala kehormatan
Sihat dan ria, kekal dan makmur
Luaskan kuasa, menaungkan kami
Rakyat dipimpini berzaman lagi
Dengan Merdeka bersatu hati
Allah berkati Johor
Allah selamatkan Sultan
Pahang
Ya Allah Yang Masa Kuasa,
Lanjutkan Usia Duli Yang Maha Mulia,
Dirgahayu, Darul Makmur,
Aman dan Bahagia Sentiasa,
Ya Allah Selamatkan Duli Tuanku Raja Kami
Trengganu
Allah daulatkan Tuanku Sultan,
Terengganu Darul Iman,
Allah peliharakan Tuanku Sultan,
Sejahtera sepanjang zaman,
Allah rahmatkan Tuanku Sultan,
Memerintah rakyat aman.
Kelantan
Lanjutka usia Al-Sultan kami
Sultan Kelantan raja ikrami
Aman sentosa Tuhan sirami
Kekal memerintah kami
Kasih dan taat setia disembahkan
Keriangan diucapkan
Segala kebesaran Allah cucurkan
Bertambah kemuliaan
Footnotes:
(1)
This article is in response to the many requests for clarification from
lay people in churches.
(2)
Hesham A. Hassaballa is a physician and writer living in Chicago.
He is co-author of The Beliefnet Guide to Islam (Doubleday).
http://www.middle- east-online. com/English/ ?id=36608(3)
See the Pahang enactment
(4)
I believe every true and faithful follower will want to share their faith,
and Muslims are no exception.
(5)
Other references to use of Allah :
BOOK 2 - HYMN 1 Verse 11 - Thou, God, art Aditi to him who offers gifts:
thou, Hotra, Bharati, art strengthened by the song.
Thou art the hundred-wintered I?a to give strength, Lord of Wealth!
V?tra-slayer and Sarasvati.
BOOK 3 - HYMN XXIII Verse 4 He set thee in the earth's most lovely
station, in I?a's place, in days of fair bright weather.
On man, on Apaya, Agni! on the rivers D??advati, Sarasvati, shine richly.
(6)
Emeritus Professor Datuk Dr. Shad Saleem Faruqi is a Malaysian Senior
Professor of law who has served Universiti Teknologi MARA in Shah Alam,
Selangor in various capacities from 1971 onwards. He served as the Head of
the Diploma in Law program (1979 - 1984), as Assistant Rector (1996-1999),
Assistant Vice Chancellor
(1999 - 2001) and Legal Advisor (1996 - 2006).
He has also served on the faculties of law at the International
Islamic University Malaysia, part time at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia and
a visiting professor at Universiti Sains Malaysia
(7)
The Federal Constitution and the Social Contract by Prof. Dr. Shad
Saleem Faruqi -
http://74.125. 153.132/search? q=cache:VoCPy4Nb 85sJ:cpps. org.my/resource_ centre/Prof. %2520Dr.%2520Shad% 2520Saleem% 2520Faruqi. ppt+Malaysia+ constitutional+ Article+11& cd
=7&hl=en
&ct=clnk&gl= my&client= firefox-a
(8)
http://national- express-malaysia .blogspot. com/2010/ 01/allah- decree-does- sultan-have-power.html
(9)
http://www.isna. net/articles/ News/ISNA- Commends- Malaysian- Court-Ruling-that-Affirms- Religious- Freedom-of- Christians. aspx
(10)
Muhyiddin said he had been receiving quite a number of messages from
non-Muslim friends in Sabah and Sarawak who said there were Christians
who felt that things would not have happened in the first place - if we,
the Christians, would just not use the word 'Allah' - Bernama 14th
Jan 2010
(11)
Just because a few Christians in West or East Malaysia, don't understand
the issue and voice their ignorance, this does not mean the whole of West
or the whole of the East Malaysian communities are against the use of the
word. We need to be aware of the sinister aims to make both the West and
East Malaysian Christians misunderstand each other. By all means, "share"
and educate each other. But beware of answering and correcting in the cyber
space and give the impression, that the West or the East Malaysian
Christians
are ignorant, naïve or disunited - we would not want to fall prey to the
schemes
of the "dark side." The "Kuching Declaration" clearly shows the Christians
in both West and East Malaysia are united. And today, we remain resolute and
unyielding in our stand.
-00000-
HartalMSM: Please note the Prime Minister attended and officiated
the opening of an UPKO convention on 8th November 2009 during which a
speech by the UPKO president clearly outlined the concerns of the christian
bumiputras in East Malaysia.
Read the news report by Herald Malaysia Online (here).
http://go2.wordpres s.com/?id= 725X1342& site=hartalmsm. wordpress. com&url=http% 3A%2F%2Fwww. heraldmalaysia. com%2Fnews% 2Fstorydetails. php%2FDaring- speech-by- Tan-Sri-Bernard- Dompok%2F3346- 2-1____
Daring speech by Tan Sri Bernard Dompok
Published On November 20 , 2009
http://www.heraldma laysia.com/ news/storydetail s.php/Daring- speech-by-Tan-Sri-Bernard- Dompok/3346- 2-1
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