At odds over Obama’s Insya Allah

Perkasa and Isma view the US president's use of the word Insya Allah differently.

PETALING JAYA: Malay right-wing non-governmental organisation (NGO) Perkasa has cast doubts over the sincerity of US President Barack Obama’s use of the word Insya Allah during his visit to the Masjid Negara yesterday.

Perkasa’s Islamic affairs bureau chief Khairi Hussein said Muslims used the term Insya Allah to keep their promise and were certain of the outcome.

“If Obama has a hidden agenda to pacify or insult the Muslims here, then we will oppose him,” he added.

The president used the word while having a conversation with National Mosque imam Syaikh Ismail Muhammad and the committee members.

Obama said Insya Allah when the imam urged the president to end the oppression against Muslims worldwide.

However, Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (Isma) Abdullah Zaik Abdul Rahman said Muslims in Malaysia could not be over sensitive and create an issue on the use of the word.

“He only used the word to show that he understands the issues raised,” he said.

Abdullah said Isma and other Muslim NGOs were opposing the use of the word Allah by churches to spread Christianity.

Ten out of 13 states have enactments banning the usage of the word Allah and about 30 other words, including Insya Allah. In Selangor, for instance, there is the 1988 Non-Islamic Religions (Control of Propagation among Muslims) Enactment.