Malaysia government warns Christian weekly for allegedly denigrating Islam

[cathopologist]

Excerpts from report:

[The government of the predominantly Muslim country of Malaysia has accused The Herald, a Christian weekly newspaper, of violating publication rules by running articles considered political and insulting to Islam…

](http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=13501)For the past year the Herald has been in a court dispute with the government over its use of the word “Allah” as a Malay translation for the word “God.” The government has argued the usage would confuse Muslims while the newspaper insists it uses the word “Allah” as it has been used for centuries in the Malay language.

Islamic policies.

 

[Mystic_Warrior]

Excerpts from report:
Islamic policies.

No compulsion in their religion, huh? I think they have insecurity issues I pray that the news agencies will be able to stay open under the tyrannical government as a voice for Christians in the region.

Peace…

MW

 

[KingAlfred]

Excerpts from report:
Islamic policies.

Islam is a threat to world Christianity. Sorry. I know that’s not very PC.

 

[swariffin]

Excerpts from report:
Islamic policies.

I am from Indonesia, their neighbor. I don’t know what’s the point either, and neither do all the Malaysian I know whom I asked. They should either cease using Malay language and using Arabic as their national language, or change the Quran and all Islamic books into Malay language.

 

[cathopologist]

I am from Indonesia, their neighbor. I don’t know what’s the point either, and neither do all the Malaysian I know whom I asked. They should either cease using Malay language and using Arabic as their national language, or change the Quran and all Islamic books into Malay language.

Apa khabar, swariffin? This has been in our weekly Catholic News for a while now. It’s truly idiotic as to disallow the use of “Allah” (since “Allah” is a pre-Islamic word for God). It’s if as only they (Muslims) have the right to call on God. Honestly, the Malaysian government has gone bonkers.

 

[abucs]

Hi Swariffin,

when i was in Indonesia, a convert from Islam to Catholicism told me that in that country - the word Allah was used as ‘Father’.

From memory, the Lords Prayer in the mass there, used the word Allah (in Indonesian -Jakarta).

Is this correct ?

Since Malaysian and Indonesian languages are so close, would this lend support to the idea of Allah as the general word for God or Father in Malaysia ?

 

[cathopologist]

Hi Swariffin,

when i was in Indonesia, a convert from Islam to Catholicism told me that in that country - the word Allah was used as ‘Father’.

From memory, the Lords Prayer in the mass there, used the word Allah (in Indonesian -Jakarta).

Is this correct ?

Since Malaysian and Indonesian languages are so close, would this lend support to the idea of Allah as the general word for God or Father in Malaysia ?

Hi abucs, i can speak and write Bahasa Melayu (Malay language). I took it as a second language in school. “Allah” in Malay means God, but in this case for the Indonesians (Bahasa Indonesia), it can be safely assumed to mean “God the Father”, likewise for Bahasa Melayu. The Malay language is quite similar to the Indonesian language. Although i’m not proficient in Bahasa Indonesia, as they have a different slang.

“Bapak” means Father in Malay. I think the Indonesians say “Pak” which means the same thing.

 

[swariffin]

Hi Swariffin,

when i was in Indonesia, a convert from Islam to Catholicism told me that in that country - the word Allah was used as ‘Father’.

From memory, the Lords Prayer in the mass there, used the word Allah (in Indonesian -Jakarta).

Is this correct ?

Since Malaysian and Indonesian languages are so close, would this lend support to the idea of Allah as the general word for God or Father in Malaysia ?

Dear Abucs and Cathopologist,

I have heard such news too. In Indonesia, there is no movement to ban non-muslims to use the word “Allah” as God, even from the hardliners. You are both correct that “Allah” is not Malay/Indonesian words. In Indonesia, God/Allah is translated as “Tuhan”. Linguistically, there is no translation of “Allah” or “God” to become “Father”. The terminology of God as “Father” comes from Christianity. In many Christian rituals (both Catholics and non Catholics), we are using “Allah” very often, especially when we are talking about the Trinity. When we recite the Apostle Creed, we definitely used the word “Allah” instead of “Tuhan”.

Generally speaking, we don’t see any trouble of using the word Allah, as long as we are using it in the proper way (not by means of defaming God and/or a specific religion). No body can claim the right to use the word “Allah”, as no body has the right to “own” Allah/God. God/Allah is belong to everybody as everybody is belong to God/Allah.

God bless you all, brothers.

 

[cathopologist]

You are both correct that “Allah” is not Malay/Indonesian words. In Indonesia, God/Allah is translated as “Tuhan”. Linguistically, there is no translation of “Allah” or “God” to become “Father”. The terminology of God as “Father” comes from Christianity. In many Christian rituals (both Catholics and non Catholics), we are using “Allah” very often, especially when we are talking about the Trinity. When we recite the Apostle Creed, we definitely used the word “Allah” instead of “Tuhan”.

Generally speaking, we don’t see any trouble of using the word Allah, as long as we are using it in the proper way (not by means of defaming God and/or a specific religion). No body can claim the right to use the word “Allah”, as no body has the right to “own” Allah/God. God/Allah is belong to everybody as everybody is belong to God/Allah.

God bless you all, brothers.

Right. “Tuhan” also means God in Malay. My Bahasa Melayu has become rusty. Although the Malays use “Allah” all the time - whether Christian or Muslim.

By the way, nice to meet you, swariffin.

 

[abucs]

Thanks for the information guys.