Let me be direct, this is a uniquely Malaysian problem, especially within the Peninsular.
I plea to thinking caring Muslims and Christians to come forward and embrace empathy towards each other and find a workable compromise that is both Christ like and Quranic.
We Muslims must understand the frustration our Christian brothers and sisters have been going through all these years when dealing with the Government (which is perceived as Malay Muslims, as the officers are usually Malays) for example whenever they want to built churches and when dealing with issues regarding their faith.
They are also frustrated and upset over cases involving Article 11(4). Muslims must understand that like us, the Christians see it as their religious duty to spread their creed and they must have found Article 11(4) hindering them from spreading and sharing their religion, as a setback as a good faithful Christian.
Muslims probably would have felt the same if placed in a similar situation.
We Muslims must empathize, how we would feel if each time we are to build a mosque, we have to wait and wait and wait for approvals after approvals. Rasa lah sikit, tak kan tak boleh rasa kot?
In this frustration they retaliated by going to the courts, perhaps to get back at us or just to prove a point. I think these feelings are the real motivation behind the legal redress, not that they are really deeply and are so spirited to call God, Allah. That is why I suggest that this is a uniquely Malaysian problem. You don’t see Christians in the west or elsewhere being so gung ho about using the word Allah as god’s name; in fact, many may even find it repulsive.
On the other hand …
The Christians must understand that while the Quran has no issues about Allah as the universal name of God (read here), the Malay’s understanding and emotional attachment to the word Allah is unique to the Malaysian world. Rightly or wrongly, your Muslim brothers and sisters are deeply hurt as they perceive that you are doing this with bad intentions – to convert their fellow faithful as they do not see you actively wanting to also change all the other Bible translations like English or Chinese making the word Allah a universal name for God.
More so, the Malay Muslims cannot imagine that Allah Yang Esa/Satu now can also be the Allah as part of the Trinity. For example their current worldview cannot fathom words that describe Jesus as Son of Allah .
This is uniquely a Malaysian state of affairs; you do not find Muslims in the middle-east or the west having an issue about it. In fact, they are for it and in history had to fight for the right to use the English word God as a translation to the word Allah!
While you may want to prove a point, the word Allah is ingrained deeply in the Malay hearts as in Malaysia, from young Malay Muslims recite (melafazkan) their belief in God as,
“Aku naik saksi bahawa tiada Tuhan melainkan Allah, dan aku naik saksi bahawa Nabi Muhammad itu Persuruh Allah.”
Meaning there is no God but Allah – Allah being the unique name of God that the Malay Muslim professes. You must try to understand how the language used has formed the Malay Muslim worldview about the word Allah. By appreciating the nuances of the language you will be able to empathize how your Malay Muslim brothers and sisters feel and you will feel the hurt too.
Understanding nuances is key and very important. For example it would be totally nonsensical, painful and hurtful to translate the Holy Ghost in Matthew 29:19 as Hantu Suci just because the word we usually use for Ghost in Malay is hantu– it is not only erroneous but insulting, stupid and totally in a wrong tone.
What is to be done? - CHRISTIANS
My Christian brothers and sisters, may I ask you a favor? Personally I have no issues with you using the word Allah, but there are many who do and obviously there are some among them who are less tolerant and can get dysfunctional to the extent of burning down churches.
So …
Can we please choose to be more Christ like? Remember that “an eye for an eye will only make the world go blind”. Are you being Christ like here? Jesus said,
“You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth. But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. (Matthew 5:38-42)
Did Jesus not teach us to go beyond the letter of the law in our daily lives? Did he not tell us to do away with personal revenge? Did he not model his ministry base on love, care and empathy? Can you not find a compromise?
How about using another name that you are also familiar with? At least till the Malay Muslims relearn that the word Allah is not only for them? I was thinking how about Eloi or Eli instead of Allah? Any Christian who is worth to be call one, would have heard these names many times during Church sermons, that is, when Jesus cried out loud while on the cross, “Eli Eli lama sabachthani?” (Matthew 27:46, in Mark 15 : 34 it is Eloi Eloi lama sabachthani, translated into English as “ My God, My God why have you forsaken me?”).
What do you think? Boleh compromise ka?
What is to be done? - MUSLIMS
My Muslim brothers and sisters …
Firstly, we need to grow up a little and pardon me for using a crude Penang way to say this, “sampai bila kita nak tidok di bawah ketiak Perlembagaan Perseketuan ni?”. We need to have more faith in ourselves and must be willing to be challenge not just in matters of the world but especially our aqidah. Did not the Quran say,
“Men said to them: "A great army is gathering against you": And frightened them: But it (only) increased their Faith: They said: "For us Allah sufficeth, and He is the best disposer of affairs." Quran 3:173
“Do men think that they will be left alone on saying, "We believe", and that they will not be tested?” Quran 29:2
“Ye shall certainly be tried and tested in your possessions and in your personal selves; and ye shall certainly Hear much that will grieve you, from those who received the Book before you and from those who worship many gods. But if ye persevere patiently, and guard against evil,-then that will be a determining factor in all affairs”. Quran 3:186
So, should we really continue to support Article 11(4)? Or should we have more confidence in our capable religious leaders and ourselves in preparing the community with an unyielding and rock-solid aqidah that can buttress any external dakwah? Got confident ka? Can we set a target date to do away with article 11(4)?
Secondly, we need to stop being like a “katak di bawah tempurung.” Get to know the larger world of Islam and understand that in the middle-east even from the time of the Prophet, Jews and Christians call God, Allah. We must learn not to monopolized Allah or the Arabic language. Even “Assalamualaikum” pun ada yang nak monopolize.
Thirdly, we must be always fair and just. We cannot support lopsided laws. If we can preach to others, we should allow them to the same towards us. Tak malu ka? Tak ada maruah ka kita ni? If we do not want them to preach to our followers, than we must stop preaching to their followers too. We cannot practice double standards.
When we do that, others will feel that they are treated unfairly. Sometimes the least enlighten and not so patient ones among them will retaliate in one way or the other. We must make it easy for people of the other faith to practice their ways of life (like building churches, temples, etc) just as we expect them to do the same in countries and lands like India, Europe, etc where they are the majority.
Did not the Quran say,
“Woe unto those who give short measure: Those who, when they are to receive their due from (other) people, demand that it be given in full. But, when they have to measure or weigh whatever they owe others, give less than what is due! ” Quran 83:1 – 3
Allah doth command you to render back your Trusts to those to whom they are due; And when ye judge between man and man, that ye judge with justice … Quran 4:58
“O ye who believe! stand out firmly for Allah, as witnesses to fair dealing, and let not the hatred of others to you make you swerve to wrong and depart from justice. Be just: that is next to piety: and fear Allah. For Allah is well-acquainted with all that ye do” Quran 5:8
Conclusion
Let’s compromise. Let’s forgive each other, let’s move forward. Let’s trust Allah and have hope. Let’s make this experience a learning one, let’s use our hearts and minds to add value and make things better.
“Father forgive them, for they know not what they do” Luke 23:34
“So lose not heart, nor fall into despair: For ye must gain mastery if ye are true in Faith” Quran 3:139
Let us add value and Peace,
Anas Zubedy
PS: An example of a Muslim –Christian friendship, click here.
Do also read Art's article here and Pah Nur's here
and pleeeeaaasssseee join Marina's petition here
28 comments:
Nice one, Anas.
Could you also promote my petition? It's at http://www.petitiononline.com/mod_perl/signed.cgi?Msia0801&1
Anas - you should have said all this when the Herald was first asked not to use the word.....although i do not think the outcome would have been different.
there is too much at stake politically for the powers to think and act like you!
jo
Sir, you have written something that I have wanted to express. Please allow me to post this in my Facebook so that more people can read this. I love this country and I just can't bare to see it go down over some religious misunderstanding.
Anas,
Just take one item, as example for us to ponder, in the subject of building this nation.
If I'm not mistaken, a period of 10 years was given to fully use Bahasa Kebangsaan. Today, do we see the Bahasa Kebangsaan being put at its proper place as per the Perlembagaan and Akta Bahasa? Or do we see many the so-called "Malaysians" are adamant with their respective mother tongues in every aspect? Remember, BM the the Official Language of this Country, and English is the second language. There should not be other languages be it mother tongue! (Do not spin this to say that we ban the learning of all the other languages!)
Please also ponder why many Malays seem reluctant to give up what have been spelled out in the Constitution. This is mainly because there is still large section of the society not willing to embrace "Malaysia". Some argued that they had given up "Tanah Melayu", in sharing this country with others, but some still not willing to let go "China" and "India".
Why get angry when non muslims use the world allah? You should be happy because it means that Allah is important, if its not, who wants to use the word anyway?
*Just my opinion, PEACE*
Well said Anas - Many thanks!! I also agree with Jo's remarks on the political front. Nevertheless, it's pertinent to speak out and put things into perspective for both parties, without making your thoughts sound too imposing...As a Believer, I truly believe that it's NOT our mission to CONVINCE everyone but it's our duty to RELAY the message. Thanks again.
Many Thanks, Anas.
Your article speaks volume.
Many peace-loving Muslims and Non-muslims have this to say to you "We love you" for what you wrote.
Siebel
Anas,
Great lengthy piece indeed, well thought out.
All Malaysians will be much better off if we can 'open' our mindset and have a good look at ourselves.
A good try will be living in isolation the dessert or deep tropical forest for a week, for a month...then only then we realise what is brotherhood, interdependence, love, hatred, all feelings that we are after all just plain human.
The Middle-East conflicts, India-Pakistan row, China and its Dalai Lama, Korean - north vs south, are all but some of the decades old issues created by greed for more...control over another.
"For example their current worldview cannot fathom words that describe Jesus as Son of Allah (although the Quran did use this phrase)." In which surah is this phrase used? Never heard of that and it can be quite misleading really.
Salaam Bro Anas, can you help clarify your comments below & perhaps point out this particular phrase in the Quran?? JazakAllah.
"For example their current worldview cannot fathom words that describe Jesus as Son of Allah (although the Quran did use this phrase)."
Thank you Zubedy for your insight. i believe this is more of the preference of language rather than one word. I as a catholic from the penisula have no qualms to not use Allah in my prayers as i pray in english and prefer the words lord god almighty. The problem is our brothers and sisters from east whose use of bahasa is so widespread in church over the generation who are so familiar with use of Allah. I have even commented in Herald on the need to be adamant in using the word allah and the need to bring this to the courts, but i have brought to understand/learn that its not about what we peninsular catholics think. Not many have thought about our brothers and sister in east malaysia and, from Indon, orang asli. Our masses in some churches are using bahasa mostly due to the many east malaysians and christian indonesians and christian orang asli besides to promote the national language. When i was a boy, english and latin was common. I remember a minister lamenting the lack of using bahasa in churches back then. Since this issue came to light, the usage of bahasa in our masses are being limited and foreign languages as tamil, mandarin and even latin is making a comeback. Chatolics who had been using bahasa all this while and i will in in time learn these language and embrace it. Please dont tell us then that we are any less malaysian for not using bahasa. We are pushed into a corner, we are told to embrace bahasa in one hand but at on the other hand we are told to be careful on our choice of words.
Please do not feel offended as I fully understand the feeling of my muslim brothers and sisters concern. Please know that we in peninsula will unlikely use allah in our daily prayers. The use will only be limited to our east, indon and orang asli chatolics who will only use it in the context of bahase. but at same i do also understand that there is a minority of muslim brothers and sisters who will still not understand this peculiar situation. Besides the authority teaching them, I can only pray for wisdom to dawn upon my brothers and sisters.
May the lord god almighty who is mercifull bless Malaysia and her children.
Anonymous,
Thanks for pointing it out. The way i wrote may construed wrong understanding. The Quran usually refers to Jesus as son of Mary. However in 4:171 the Quran says,
"Say not "Trinity" : desist: it will be better for you: for Allah is one Allah. Glory be to Him: (far exalted is He) above having a son. To Him belong all things in the heavens and on earth. And enough is Allah as a Disposer of affairs." Thanks for brining it up.
salam, anas
Hi! nice article. but the crux of the matter is not problems between muslims and christians. The BIG problem is political advantage.
Let's look between the lines, go indpeth and realise someone has turned islam into politics and using to gain advantage/remain in power.
Malays/muslims are good people.
Anas
Because of what you said or admitted (see way below in quotes), you, therefore, are not qualified enough to rightly discuss or start discussing this very sensitive issue in a public forum / platform.
You are no ordinary Ali; you have made your name, personal and professional reputation so well-known. You are an influencer or mover and shaker of sort. Some may listen and believe so much in you. After all, the words came from Anas Zubedy..not Ali Whatever!
Your admission to a "mistake" (not the right way of writing Isa anak Mariam or Jesus son of Mary) while commendable can be a tad too late.
Some would have read and accepted what you said - wrong or right. They may argue with others based on what they learnt from you - because it's you who said it..you are a public figure, who portray or seem to be highly knowledgeable and experienced. I don't want to imagine the consequences of this argument. Who knows...the person(s) did not read your rectification (see way below in quotes).
My point: I am not saying that you cannot write BUT be very careful when you write for public consumption..and especially on this very sensitive matter. Be very sure by checking first with well-known, trusted and qualified people in the matter before publishing your words. Otherwise, the consequences can be beyond your or my imagination.
Anas, I am no Imam, and certainly no extremist but I'm very worried with the liberal usage or citation / quotation of Quranic verses. Be sure you know, understand, believe and practise the verses before using them and before writing about them in public. Salam...
"Anonymous,
Thanks for pointing it out. The way i wrote may construed wrong understanding. The Quran usually refers to Jesus as son of Mary. However in 4:171 the Quran says,
"Say not "Trinity" : desist: it will be better for you: for Allah is one Allah. Glory be to Him: (far exalted is He) above having a son. To Him belong all things in the heavens and on earth. And enough is Allah as a Disposer of affairs." Thanks for brining it up.
salam, anas"
Anas,
Couldnt have said it better. Nice one!
salam.
Hi Anas,
I'm not sure if you read the article:
http://thoughtsintangents.blogspot.com/2010/01/torched-churches-reaping-what-is-sown.html
by Tan Sri Sanusi Junid's son : Akhramsyah Muammar Ubaidah bin Sanusi (I guess like father, like son)
OK, he's made his point but his article is shocking nevertheless and very disturbing to say the least. This is an 'educated' guy with no qualms about getting his point across on how Malaysia should be, of course to 'his' advantage. Imagine if he had been born of another religion or race. He would never have written an article like that. An 'educated' guy who nicely laces his article with veiled threats like "Malays may be lobbing molotov cocktails at all churches indiscriminately, but this is only fair". If this is truly his opinion he has no place at all in a concept like '1Malaysia'. In my position I would be more worried about him leading a pack of people going amok than having an intellectual dialogue with him. I've ascertained psychologically that this is a man with a one track mind who doesn't listen to the opinions from both sides of the divide after reading his article through thoroughly. He conveniently OR intentionally left out a lot of issues in his article and has pretty much made a stand that the only discourse left to a Malay Muslim in this country is violence. I mean if I were a Christian who may NOT have agreed with the 'Allah' stance of the Catholic Church, am I fair game too in terms of the 'blood letting' he mentions????
WNA, thanks for your concern.
salam,anas
easy... As the Sabah and Sarawak Catholic have used the Allah word in bible since before Malaysia was formed , just let them continue using it , but NOT in Peninsular Msia.. well that is fair to both parties. The majority Malay in peninsular msia will continue enjoy the "patented" Allah for Islam , while the native Swak and Sabahan can continue use what they been used to centuries ago.
Everyone happy except those racist dog... ( sorry to the dogs out there as i compared u all with the racist )
Anas,
I totally disagree with your suggestion for the Christians to substitute the word "Allah" in their BM bibles with another "suitable" word. Why do we have to do so? Is it wrong according to the Al Quran for Christians to use the word "Allah"? If not, then should the Christians do so and surrender to the demands of the unreasonable? Will the Christians next be prohibited from using other arabic words such as Amin, Kitab, Puasa, Malaikat, Rasul, Esa, Nabi or the name of the prophets (Musa, Mariam, Daud, Noh, Ibrahim etc.).
How about the Iban Bible which also uses the word "Allah"? Are you also going to ask the Sikhs to stop using the word "Allah" to appease some ignorant, misguided, arrogant and extremely selfish Malays?
Your suggestion will be not a big problem to implement in West Malaysia, but will be difficult to comply with in East Malaysia because BM is widely used by the native people in their church services here. This is because the Catholic and Protestants Churches have been using BM/Malay for their services since before independence. The natives might question the rights of the Malays (the "pendatang") to ask them to do so, since both states are supposed to have no official religion as stipulated in the 18 and 20 points agreement. (Nanti diorang bilang, Kalau tidak suka sini kau boleh balik negara asal kau? Just like the Malays use to tell the "pendatang" in Semenanjung.)
What a bloody mess the bigot UMNO has put us into? The line is already drawn in the sand.
Another solution to the problem that I can think of, is to grant independence to the East Malaysian states. I think this will be an equitable solution to the "Allah" problem created by UMNO. Hurray, problem solve no?
What say you?
Cheers.
Anas,
I totally disagree with your suggestion for the Christians to substitute the word "Allah" in their BM bibles with another "suitable" word. Why do we have to do so? Is it wrong according to the Al Quran for Christians to use the word "Allah"? If not, then should the Christians do so and surrender to the demands of the unreasonable? Will the Christians next be prohibited from using other arabic words such as Amin, Kitab, Puasa, Malaikat, Rasul, Esa, Nabi or the name of the prophets (Musa, Mariam, Daud, Noh, Ibrahim etc.).
How about the Iban Bible which also uses the word "Allah"? Are you also going to ask the Sikhs to stop using the word "Allah" to appease some ignorant, misguided, arrogant and extremely selfish Malays?
Your suggestion will be not a big problem to implement in West Malaysia, but will be difficult to comply with in East Malaysia because BM is widely used by the native people in their church services here. This is because the Catholic and Protestants Churches have been using BM/Malay for their services since before independence. The natives might question the rights of the Malays (the "pendatang") to ask them to do so, since both states are supposed to have no official religion as stipulated in the 18 and 20 points agreement. (Nanti diorang bilang, Kalau tidak suka sini kau boleh balik negara asal kau? Just like the Malays use to tell the "pendatang" in Semenanjung.)
What a bloody mess the bigot UMNO has put us into? The line is already drawn in the sand.
Another solution to the problem that I can think of, is to grant independence to the East Malaysian states. I think this will be an equitable solution to the "Allah" problem created by UMNO. Hurray, problem solve no?
What say you?
Cheers.
Here's the funny thing... why resolve to violence? that's the only questin here? through law and dialogues and meetings cause NO HARM to anyone...
http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/1/10/nation/20100110121327&sec=nation
check this web from The Star... they are taking hostages and arson... how low more can they go?? Christians , Muslims, Hindus and any other religion in this world does NOT approve of violence... none... so what got them thinking this way?? they have to be caught for their actions...
dun get me wrong... i say they should be caught not cos i'm a christian but because they are also going against their OWN islamic values... they should not call themselves Muslims if they behave this way...
christians are also to blame.. why wan to use the word?? there is no significance of the word to us... yes.. the government makes it VIRTUALLY impossible for us to build churches and religious places but still... it's just plain ridiculous... both parties are stupid...
Anas
The genesis of the matter is:
Herald wanted to use this word in Bahasa communication solely for Catholics.
The KDN permit for the Herald is clear - that it is for Catholics only and for the Bahasa version of the publication for people who are of that faith only.
It was never intended nor authorised to reach out to non-Catholics.
Neither was there any approval or leeway granted to the Church to use that term in any other forum.
The court ruling was extremely specific. Had the term been used elsewhere, the courts would have reprimanded Herald and would have withdrawn the approval given.
Have you ever seen any statement from UMNO leaders clarifying this to the masses in Peninsular Malaysia?
One wonders why these UMNO leaders could not clarify this to the masses, but instead resort to issuing statements like:
a. the government could not stop people from gathering at mosques tomorrow to protest against the High Court ruling in allowing the Herald to use the word "Allah".
b. We cannot stop them if they want to congregate in mosques
c. The use of the word 'Allah' may be used by other religions for their own agenda and confuse the Muslims (Defence Minister's 'menu'. Such a weakling he is - not fit to be a defence minister.)
d. non-Muslims in the country accept the fact that the word 'Allah' belongs to Muslims. (This is a Sharizat 'menu' dished out and forced down the throats of all non-Muslims in Malaysia)
And look at the way, some reacted aftre all the above statements.
That speaks volumes of how some Malaysians are led by cunning politicians to behave - hastily and illogically.
Without even realising that those in East Malaysia have been using this word for so long...and with no 'curbs' on such usage by the courts nor any 'opposition' from the 'custodians' of Islam in Sabah and Sarawak.
Now look at two other situations:
a. Selangor state anthem, which reads:
Duli Yang Maha Mulia
Selamat di atas takhta
Allah lanjutkan usia Tuanku
Rakyat mohon restu bawah Duli Tuanku
Bahagia selama-lamanya
Aman dan sentosa
Duli Yang Maha Mulia
b. Baca doa in public events and in Sekolah Kebangsaan.
In both instances above, the non-Muslims have accepted the fact that Allah is used and in the case of 1 above, non-Muslims also sing the state anthem. I remember doing that in primary school in K.L when the city was still under Selangor.
Non-Muslims dare not even squeal at these two instances but become more determined to know the difference and stick to their faiths despite such situations.
Tell us where is the actual problem.
PARAMESWARA
One of America’s pre-eminent evangelicals is challenging the advice of a retiring Roman Catholic Bishop in the Netherlands who has raised eyebrows worldwide by suggesting Dutch Christians pray to “Allah.”
Dr. R. Albert Mohler, Jr., president of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, argues that it is inappropriate for Christians to call God Allah based on irreconcilable theological differences associated with the name Allah and core Christian beliefs.
The key condition behind calling the Christian God Allah is that Allah must refer to the same God as the one in the Bible. However, this requirement presents “a huge problem for both Muslims and Christians,” contends Mohler.
The theologian pointed out that the Qur’an explicitly denies that Allah has a son, and Islam considers the idea of a triune God to be blasphemy.
“Thus, from its very starting point Islam denies what Christianity takes as its central truth claim – the fact that Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of the Father,” wrote Mohler on his web blog Wednesday.
“If Allah has no Son by definition, Allah is not the God who revealed himself in the Son. How then can the use of Allah by Christians lead to anything but confusion …and worse?”
Last Monday, during an interview with a Dutch TV program, 71-year-old Bishop Tiny Muskens promoted the idea of Dutch Christians calling God Allah, believing that it would ease much of the conflict between the Christian and Muslim faiths. Muskens contended that God doesn’t mind what He is called and the arguments over what to call Him is an invention of man.
“Allah is a very beautiful word for God. Shouldn’t we all say that from now on we will name God Allah? …What does God care what we call Him? It is our problem,” said Muskens, according to The Associated Press.
The retiring bishop was a former missionary to Indonesia – the most populous Muslim country in the world – for eight years, where he said priests used the name “Allah” while celebrating Mass.
In response, Mohler pointed out that it would be difficult to support the argument that “Allah” can be used as a generic term for God. The theologian said separation of Allah from the language, theology, and worship closely associated with it is difficult. Moreover, even non-Arabic speaking Muslims use Allah when referring to their god.
Another irreconcilable difference is that Jesus commanded his followers to baptize “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
“When this command is taken seriously and obeyed, the whole issue is greatly clarified – a Christian cannot baptize in the name of Allah,” stated Mohler.
“So Bishop Muskens is disingenuous at best when he suggests that God does not care about His name. This is not a matter of mere ‘discussion and bickering,’” said Mohler.
“If Allah has no son, Allah is not the father of our Lord Jesus Christ…This is no mere ‘discussion and bickering.’ This is where the Gospel stands or falls,” the theologian concluded.
Bishop Muskens in the past endorsed other controversial ideas which went against the Vatican leadership – such as those who are hungry can steal bread and that condoms should be permissible in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
When God created us humans with so many commonalities, it is mindboggling that a great many of us choose to highlight the few odd differences to define what we are and that instead of building bridges to reach out to, we opt for walls to isolate us from each other.
Mmmm... maybe if the East M'sians learn English and not use BM anymore, then there will be no need for a BM version of the bible and thus solving everybody's problems. Let's master English and forget about BM.
Good idea?
Good one Anas,
Problem starts with insecurities and inferiority complexes added with the urge to belong. May have been something to do with lack of knowledge of other religions and beliefs .... Let's engage in more dialogues and discourses rather than resorting to violence which eventually will destroy 50+ years of multiracial harmony. Having said that..is this a religious problem or just became one when some idiotic politicians decided to play the religion card to fan up the Muslim sentiments. Who or what's behind this charade we'll never get to know.
But i guess, most Malaysians are matured enough and aware that this issue carries the weight of political agendas of certain powers that be. I hope, we the rakyat will not be coerced to believe these politicians timeless, mindless agendas. Also hope to see the actual Malaysian spirit rise to the occasion where we lend a hand and help our Christian brothers in this time of need. And to our Muslim brothers, please remember that we are all the same, divided only by the man made chains of race and religion. How much different are we from each other?? Reverse the roles and easily we'll see our folly. Lastly..i hope every true blue Malaysian with peace on our minds, sign Marina's petition at http://www.petitiononline.com/Msia0801/petition.html
salam,
setuju dengan pendapat WNA.
Tolong berhati-hati dalam memberi pandangan mengenai ayat2 Al-Quran dan masalah agama kalau anda bukan seorang ustaz atau ulama' atau pakar dalam bidang agama Islam.
Jazakallah khair.
Terima kasih.
hadramaut
Your assumption that Christians are resentful of Article 11(4) was unfortunately wrong. We have no problem with a law that does not concern Christians as it only affects Muslims. The church leaders used the courts not to retaliate but to stop the tide of bullying & to avoid setting a precedent. The legal redress was to tell the govt who are mostly Muslims that you cannot have everything your way & you have no jurisdiction over the administration of other religions.
If the churches had publicly announced that they will compromise just to appease the Muslims, what will you ban us from next huh? It is absolutely wrong for you & Muslims to demand that Christians should pray in a style that is favourable to & approved by Muslims. Now do you see your arrogance & cockiness?
And you are requesting Christians to change based on an unwarranted suspicion & unfounded accusations. Why should the Christians change when the Bibles regardless of language are for Christians only? If a Muslim were to pick up a Malay Bible, are you telling us that he/she is that ignorant or stupid to not know what he/she is holding is not about Islam? If your Muslims brethrens are that shallow to not know that Christians believe differently than Muslims about Jesus, then Christians have to indulge in your request to compromise? If you cannot fathom, then stick to your Holy Koran.
You quoted Matthew 5:38-42 – are you saying that you are the evil person, that Christians should just let you have your way to strike them? Do you realise that those verses are describing how the Muslims in Malaysia are treating Christians? They first prevent proselytizing, then they infiltrate the missionary schools, then they reduced their freedom to display their symbols & build churches, then they tried to cleanse the presence of Christianity in such schools by placing more Muslims teachers & principals in there, then they set conditions to import of Bibles…. Now they demand that they change how they address Lord God in Malay. Do you see the similarity there?
What more favours do you want from them huh, seeing that you have nearly everything?
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