I remember reading in our local papers some months back about how our neighbours, Malaysia, had banned the use of the word “Allah” by Christian publications. Apparently, the word “Allah” could only be used by Muslims to refer to their God.
Curious and influenced by the fact that our local papers aren’t exactly non-partisan, I went searching on the Internet for background information. It was reported and discussed on news websites the world over, in blogs, commented in forums. There were heated debates, emotions ran high.. all over the use of a word.
For background, you can read this FoxNews article about the ban (the first one i could find on the ban now. I don’t read FoxNews a lot but was too lazy to go find others) or maybe this BBC article summarizing some recent news events that were similar (read the first section for background or if you’re curious, read all of it). But essentially, what the Malaysian authorities decided to do was ban the use of the word “Allah” as a translation for “God” in Christian publications because as they expressed it,
‘Allah’ cannot be used for other religions except Islam because it might confuse Muslims.
The Malaysian authorities must think that their Muslim populace, which makes up at least 60% of their total population, must be stupid lacking ordinary quickness and keenness of mind, dull or slow.
Anyway, I was just catching up with news happening around the world today when I read a BBC news article published today about the ban being reversed. Apparently, the ban had been challenged in court and that the Malaysian High Court has now ruled that the ban was in fact un-constitutional.
Didn’t see that being mentioned in the local papers today. Perhaps it was too late for the presses or perhaps it was deemed too insensitive to the feelings of our own Muslim population by the government. Whatever the reason, I’m curious to see if it gets reported on locally at all.
One last point to make.. my choice of words for this entry’s title may be controversial. I want to preemptively state for the record that
- I am Christian (if it wasn’t obvious before).
- I am of the opinion that the word ‘Allah’ is just an Arabic word that means God.
- If you think I mean anything else, IMHO you must be stupid lacking ordinary quickness and keenness of mind.
- adrian t
[Edit 31 Dec 2009: Oh no! Just realized I used the S word! On our family blog! Twice!!]
