Confused over use of the word ‘Allah’

 

Malaysians are a confused lot and one of the telling moments was the reaction of some people two weeks ago, which encapsulates the government’s shoddy management of the nation for the past four decades.

When High Court judge Nor Bee Ariffin ruled on March 10 that the government had erred when it issued the 1986 directive banning the use of the word “Allah” by Christians, a variety of comments were posted on social media.

Many reacted badly to her judgment because Christians could now use the word “Allah” in their religious publications.

How could one word upset so many people?

Easy. The country may be going through another turmoil but the period of uncertainty was not caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. We are suffering from 63 years of the policies of Umno-Baru, and unlike Covid-19, there is no vaccine for corrupt, ignorant, incompetent and hypocritical politicians.

Lest anyone needs reminding, the politicians used the three Rs – race, religion and royalty – to divide the people. Some used the word “Allah”, with great effect, to reopen old wounds. Instead of focusing on our similarities, they dwell on our differences and drive a wedge between us.

According to former minister Zaid Ibrahim, “this Allah issue is an old issue, and it has divided us, it has divided East and West Malaysia, it has divided Muslims and non-Muslims”.

Most people think that the issue started in 1986, during Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s first tenure, when the Cabinet allowed Christians in Malaysia to use the word “Allah”, provided certain conditions were met. However, seven months later, there was a complete ban.

So, why did Mahathir’s Cabinet, in 1986, ignore the historical evidence which shows that Christians have used the word “Allah” for at least four centuries, while in the Arabian peninsula, Arab Christians and Jews have used the word long before Islam was practised and later on, during the time of the Prophet.

Many outsiders, and some Malaysians, must think we are a confused lot, because some Malaysians have claimed ownership of that word and a few have allegedly threatened violence to defend it.

Here is another confusing thing. Many Malays learn the Quran by rote despite not understanding Arabic. They may know the meaning of a few Arabic phrases, but why does one word cause them grief?

There is a claim that Malays may become confused if they see the word in the Bible? Really? Is their faith that fragile?

Some people claim there is an agenda when Christians use the word. What is the agenda? Who started this agenda?

How true is the allegation that many Malays have converted to Christianity? Who is converting them and are the numbers so huge that it is causing concern among the authorities? What about Article 11 of the Federal Constitution which allows Malaysians to enjoy freedom of religion?

The non-Muslim indigenous people of East Malaysia pray in Malay, and “Allah” is mentioned in their prayers. Isn’t it ridiculous that if they can read from their Bible in Malay in East Malaysia, they are not allowed to do so in West Malaysia?

What about the thousands of East Malaysian Christians who live and work in the peninsula? Are they not allowed to say “Allah” in their prayers or read the Bible when they attend church services in Malay?

Christians in Indonesia use “Allah” in their Bibles and in their prayers. Indonesia is the world’s most populous Islamic nation, but they appear more tolerant than their Malaysian cousins.

Our politicians and, more importantly, those responsible for the teaching of history and languages, have failed us and our children.

This “Allah” crisis need not have happened if our politicians had not been power hungry and used certain religious words for their own selfish gains. - FMT

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.