Christians Not Allowed to refer to God as Allah in Malaysia?
This is a very interesting article I ran across today about the Malaysian government banning Christians (specifically Roman Catholics in this case) from using the word "Allah" to refer to God in their publications. It raises very interesting and ominous questions about religious freedom. The Malaysian Christians make the point that the word Allah is pre-Islamic and therefore cannot be protected as an Islamic word as such.
I don't have too much time to comment but here is what the de facto minister for Islamic affairs official said in defending the ban...
"The use of the word 'Allah' by non-Muslims may arouse sensitivity and create confusion among Muslims in the country."What do you think?
16 comments:
"Allah" comes from the Arabic "al-Lah" which can be translated into "the god". Everyone knows that.
What right do the Muslims have to copyright the term Allah? Why shouldn't the Arab Christians have the right to call their God Allah, since Allah is basically the Arabic term for God?
I used to think that Allah is a Muslim God's "name." But it was later I realized that Allah is not a "name" but merely an Arabic translation of "the god."
This situation in Malaysia is yet another example of how Muslims cannot assimilate into a society and co-exist peacefully with people of other faiths.
M
Though from different perspectives I appreciate the comments... thanks.
"This situation in Malaysia is yet another example of how Muslims cannot assimilate into a society and co-exist peacefully with people of other faiths."
The Christians, Buddhist, Hindus and other religions have to assimilate into Malayan Islamic culture and customs. Muslims are the majority there, therefore everyone else must assimilate.
In the west Muslims are always bagged on about not assimilating. Your hypocrisy stinks.
Westerners and other non Muslims living in the gulf should be urged to adopt Arabic names. Non Muslim women in the gulf should wear the hijab and the men should wear the abaya.
Talk about assimilation, m? there you have it.
Wait a minute. So a Saudi can go to the West and build massive mosques and have the freedom to go and pray anywhere they like in one of their mosque, yet not allow a Christian to go to church in Saudi Arabia, let alone have a home gathering? That's hypocrisy to me. :) I've lived in Saudi my entire life, and I can go on and one about the hypocrisy there, more so than what I've seen and experienced in the West. So let's not accuse the West of hypocrisy while ignoring ones in our backyard. (though I am not saying West is hypocrisy free-- it just exists to a lesser degree)
What I mean by assimiliation is not adopting the culture and traditions of the host country, but rather that they be a part of society and contribute to it. For example, the Muslims in the UK tend to stay in their own groups and not actively sign up for the UK Navy or Army. It's the ground reality, and scores of articles have been written to address this issue of Muslims failing to assimilate into Western society, hence the frustrated youth. I know I've gone off the topic but everyone knows how Muslims find it difficult to integrate into a foreign society because of differences in belifs etc.
"Westerners and other non Muslims living in the gulf should be urged to adopt Arabic names. Non Muslim women in the gulf should wear the hijab and the men should wear the abaya."
This is a classic statement. I had a good laugh over it. What on earth would a MAN NEED TO WEAR AN ABAYA FOR? LOOL!
By the way, I am not a westerner! I am Pakistani, who lived in Saudi Arabia his entire life!
M
"Wait a minute. So a Saudi can go to the West and build massive mosques and have the freedom to go and pray anywhere they like in one of their mosque, yet not allow a Christian to go to church in Saudi Arabia, let alone have a home gathering? That's hypocrisy to me. :)"
You're comparing a secular presidential republic with a monarchy with a powerful religious institution. The system of government in Saudi Arabia isn't democratic and isn't secular. As a sovereign entity, Saudi Arabia has its own laws regarding matters. If that includes prohibition of Church construction, so be it.
America, allows building places of worship. If Saudi Arabian law allowed the building of Churches, but the government doesn't allow it while the law exists, then that will be hypocrisy. What you've described isn't hypocrisy and your comparison is invalid.
"What I mean by assimiliation is not adopting the culture and traditions of the host country, but rather that they be a part of society and contribute to it."
26% of American Muslim households earn over $100 000 per annum, 66% earn over $50 000 per annum. Now, estimating Americas Muslim population being between 3-8 million, that is an awful lot of tax coming from Muslim citizens and contributing to American society.
When Western Muslims graduate from universities, they'll end up getting good paying jobs and paying taxes. Go to any random university in the West and you wont see any shortage of Muslim pupils. Their taxes would be used for the betterment of those countries. Now, why wont you call that being part of society and contributing to it?
What about a Muslim doctor, lawyer, professor, technician, mechanic, taxi driver, butcher, jeweler, businessman etc... Are they not contributing to society in their own ways?
"For example, the Muslims in the UK tend to stay in their own groups and not actively sign up for the UK Navy or Army"
Can you please produce a survey that shows active military participation by Buddhist, Jewish, Hindu, Sikh, Shinto, Baha'i, Satanist, Zoroastrian, Wiccan, Catholic, Anglican citizens of the UK. If all these religions are very well represented in the British Army and the Muslims aren't then there is a problem.
"scores of articles have been written to address this issue of Muslims failing to assimilate into Western society, hence the frustrated youth"
Muslim youth in UK are very well "assimilated." They drive around in their cars with extremely loud rap music, baggy western African American style clothing. Earrings and big golden chains. Now that's assimilation isn't it.
If there is any problem, its most likely caused by British society itself. Why does British society refer to its 2nd and 3rd generation youth of Pakistani and Indian descent as Asian?
Why would an Australian Muslim of Lebanese descent in a job interview be asked where he is from when he speaks no other language but English?
These "frustrated youth" weren't born "frustrated" were they? Societies behaviour towards them nurtured them in that particular way. Yes, they may receive education and health care, but they also receive a fare share of "Go home".
You talked about assimilation, and what i have elaborated upon is what assimilation is. Big deal if i used a wrong word to describe a parcel of clothing.
Dubai is an Arabic city in the Muslim world. It's natives are Arabs and they have their own culture. Go to Dubai and you see many Western women in mini skirts and tank tops. If you're such an ardent supporter of assimilation, then you too would support non Arabs assimilating in to Dubai's Arabic culture.
Obviously I've struck a raw nerve in you Ali! Your arguments are not the first time I'm hearing them. I get the same standard arguments from my Saudi friends. However, out of respect, I'll let you have the last word. :-) Stay well!
M
"Obviously I've struck a raw nerve in you Ali! Your arguments are not the first time I'm hearing them. I get the same standard arguments from my Saudi friends. However, out of respect, I'll let you have the last word. :-) Stay well!"
No m, you haven't struck a raw nerve at all. I doubt it is "out of respect" that you're resigning from this debate, rather the realisation of your error ridden assumptions.
By the way, I am not a Arab nor a Saudi. I'm an English convert.
:-)
Trust me, it's out of respect. Whether you choose to believe that or not, it's up to you. Why do you find it so hard to believe that? :-) I can go on and on with you, but frankly I've been there and done that with so many Muslims, and I don't want to get into yet another debate which can drone on endlessly, and a blog is hardly the place to discuss such sensitive issues because you can create more misunderstanding through misinterpretation of "tone" in the message. Hence, it's out of respect that I gave you the final word, not because I'm defeated.
:-)
Just so you know, I am a revert from Islam to Christianity.
M
interesting debate going on here.
i'm an Arab Christian. i don't mind not using the Arabic word
Allah 2 refer 2 God. Infact, i'd rather Arab Christians stop using
Allah in their Bibles & prayers. i'd rather prefer to use another word for God: Father. Father is more personal, more relational & more meaningful! the malaysian govt is right in having only Muslims use Allah. m, how did you come to Christ? are you safe? are you persecuted? where are u?
fareed
interesting debate going on here.
i'm an Arab Christian. i don't mind not using the Arabic word
Allah 2 refer 2 God. Infact, i'd rather Arab Christians stop using
Allah in their Bibles & prayers. i'd rather prefer to use another word for God: Father. Father is more personal, more relational & more meaningful! the malaysian govt is right in having only Muslims use Allah. m, how did you come to Christ? are you safe? are you persecuted? where are u?
fareed
Fareed,
I came to Christ back in 1997. It's a long story and I don't think I can post my testimony here. I've been through some difficult moments, but generally my life has been more blessed than a life of persecution. :-)
M
Why did you come to "Christ". Why do you use "Christ" as an intermediary? Why do you kneel before a cross? Why do you undermine God's monotheistic supremacy? Why do you believe in deicide? Why would God all of a sudden change the method of worship to him? What happens to Abraham, Moses and Aaron who didn't come to "Christ"? Does "Christ" negate the book of Samuel where it is mentioned that God isn't a man? Why is it that you can't worship God in his oneness and have to put "Christ" in the equation?
I'm not being rude, it's just that I can't get my head around the Trinity.
Idu
I do believe in ONE God. My decision to come to Christ stemmed more from my living my life as a Muslim for 19 years, and a lot of those years were spent in frustration as Islam didn't answer a lot of my "thinking" questions.
Islam has good points, especially the concept of time related prayers and fasting, and has answers for society's problems, but I had issues with afterlife (Islam guarantees no assurance for salvation, whereas Christ does), and I had issues with Allah's nature too(eg, why would Allah reveal Torah and Injeel only for them to be corrupted later- was He weak to not perserve them? Or, why would Allah choose to deceive the people by substituting another person for Jesus on the cross- does that make Allah a God of deception? etc etc)
I came to Christ after Jesus came to me in a very powerful vision, thereby confirming to me of my right decision. I put Christ in the equation because it is Christ that connects me to God, thereby allowing me to enter into a relationship with God. Before Christ came, the people you mentioned offered sacrifices, but God sent Christ to us as the ultimate and final sacrifice for all times.
I can go on and on, and I am sure you can find lots of sources online to help you answer your queries.
I used to be like you, thinking that Muslims who come to Christ are silly to do so. I used to have arguments with Christians about Trinity, but once I reverted to Christianity, everything fell into place and everything made sense to me. I could have chosen to stay a Muslim and live a comfortable and easy life, but then there is assurance of salvation. I choose to live for Jesus, which makes my life a lot more difficult, with constant persecutions, but I know it will be worth it all at the end of the day! :-)
M
"My decision to come to Christ stemmed more from my living my life as a Muslim for 19 years"
Your decision to come to "Christ" stemmed out of your bad experience with Muslims, not Islam. I assume you came to Christ because you didn't like how Pakistanis behaved.
"but I had issues with afterlife (Islam guarantees no assurance for salvation, whereas Christ does), and I had issues with Allah's nature too(eg, why would Allah reveal Torah and Injeel only for them to be corrupted later- was He weak to not perserve them? Or, why would Allah choose to deceive the people by substituting another person for Jesus on the cross- does that make Allah a God of deception? etc etc)"
I think its through your lack of understanding of Islamic sciences that leads you to the judgment that Islam doesn't guarantee salvation. The Quran, at section 41:30, elaborates: In the case of those who say, 'Our Lord is Allah', and, further, stand straight and steadfast, the angels descend on them: 'Fear ye not!' (they suggest), 'Nor grieve! but receive the Glad Tidings of the Garden (of Bliss), that which ye were promised!.'
At section 57:21, Allah says for those who believe in him and abide by his orders, Allah has prepared a Garden for them.
At 18:30, Allah says that those who believe and work righteousness shall not suffer in the afterlife.
5:9 says that for the believers forgiveness is assured.
4:13 reveals that those who believe in Allah and his messenger will enter the Gardens of the Afterlife.
There are dozens more verses in the Quran which guarantee the salvation of the believers.
God has let the door of repentance open till the final moment of life on this planet. Allah has also repeatedly guaranteed, ask for forgiveness and I shall forgive you.
There is a hadith qudsy which mentions that God's mercy is divided into 100 parts. 1 part is manifested on earth (mother being kind to a child, neighbours being kind to each other etc...) and 99 parts are reserved for the day of judgment.
The Torah and Injeel are reserved in their original form in the heavens.
The Injeel that Muslims believe in is not the modern day new testament. The original Injeel (which is safe and secure with God in the heavens and manifested in the Quran) is the revelations, as a whole, made to Jesus Christ. Not the essays "according to" Matthew, Mark, Luke or John with no mention of their surnames; or the Letters of various people to other peoples.
The modern day new testament has vast contributions by a Jewish bounty hunter who led numbers of Christians to their deaths. He never met Jesus, and killed those who claimed faith in Jesus. Furthermore, the modern day new testament only started being compiled half a century after the death of Jesus. Would the Jews follow Hitler had he claimed he had a vision of Moses where he received a new commandment? People who never met Jesus have also made contributions to this. The New Testament didn't acquire a form till some 200 years after the "death" of Jesus.
The Quran on the other hand, had a thorough and systematic method of preservation. The Quran was memorised by numerous peoples at the time of the prophet and was scribed into preservable material instantly. 70 years after the death of the Prophet, the Quran's preservation was further enhanced by the Caliph Uthman when he removed accented dialects of the Quran from various parts of his empire and made official the accent of the Prophet.
This authenticity doesn't come with the Bible.
Allah raising his servant to heaven doesn't make him a God of deception, but one who secured the safe being of the Messiah. Jesus will be sent down again to establish God's Kingdom on earth. And when his second coming does happen, he will dissolve the myths and God status given to him.
"I came to Christ after Jesus came to me in a very powerful vision, thereby confirming to me of my right decision".
Well, there are many people who convert to Islam or Judaism after going through one of those "very powerful visions."
"I put Christ in the equation because it is Christ that connects me to God, thereby allowing me to enter into a relationship with God"
So you can't have a relationship with God without putting Christ in the middle? Why can't you have a direct connection to God?
At the end of the day you follow whatever rocks your boat, but only time will tell which of us followed the correct path.
Thanks Idu for your suggestions. Since you don't know my situation all too well, I shall let your suggestions stay as suggestions. I've had so many Muslims tell me the same stuff you just mentioned here, and so it's not new. However, I still thank you for sharing your views.
It's hard to have such debates through the comments section on a blog because there is a lot of "assumption" going on, like you assume I have bad experiences with Muslims, which by the way wasn't so bad, and you assume I have a weak understanding of the Quran, which isn't true.
There are a lot of people converting from one faith to another, and you hear about Christians becoming Muslims and vice versa, although Muslims forsaking Islam don't get much exposure, and rightfully so because ex-Muslims lives are in danger!
Sure, each one of us have their own personal experiences (through vision, dreams etc), and you are right, time will tell where everyone ends up in the afterlife.
All I know is that I made a decision to follow Christ based on my understanding of Quran, Islam and seeking God. I found my answers in Christ, and I choose to follow Christ. You may think I am wrong in doing so, and I don't blame you, for I used to think before I reverted to Christianity that all such Muslims who did what I did are mad. I was proven wrong ultimately.
M
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