Isma fine with Christian praying in Allah's name

NGO Ikatan Muslimixn Malaysia (Isma) says it has no problem if Christians want to use the word 'Allah' in their prayers.

Referring to Monday's Court of Appeal decision banning Christian publication The Herald from using the word Allah, Isma deputy president Aminuddin Yahaya said it was only specific to that publication.

"The court did not declare a full ban, it was only in the context ofThe Herald because it has elements of spreading (Christianity to Muslims).

"If (Christians) want to use ("Allah") in churches, in their prayers, go ahead, there is no problem," Aminuddin (left) told a forum entitled 'The Threat of Liberalism' in Kuala Lumpur this morning.

Shortly after the court's ruling, Isma president Abdullah Zaik Abd Rahman had urged Christians who disagreed with it to emigrate.

The court had ruled that the word "Allah" was not integral to the Christian faith.

On another matter, Aminuddin said Muslims must have the guts to defend their own religious practices.

‘Don't bow to minorities'

He said this in reference to Hindu parents complaining of theslaughtering of cows during the Aidil Adha celebration, a creature deemed sacred to them, within school grounds.

"The point is, why should we bow to pressure from them. It is as if we do not have our own identity. This is our country and this is an Islamic country.

"We want to do it (cow slaughter), who cares? What is the percentage of the Indian community? Only one or two percent.

"We (Malays) are over 60 percent," he said.

The Indian community, which makes up seven percent of the country's population, are largely Hindus.