Boo Su-Lyn
Federal Islamic authorities were accused of fuelling Muslim-Christian tensions with the latest Friday sermon.
A Buddhist group today urged the federal government to resolve the drawn-out dispute over the usage of “Allah”, which has caused division and anxiety between Muslims and Christians here.
In a press statement, the Malaysian Network of Engaged Buddhists (MNEB) said the National Unity and Integration Department (JPNIN), which comes under purview of the Prime Minister’s Department, should step into the fray and end the hostility once and for all.
“We call upon the Malaysian government to positively and proactively engage through the JPNIN or other related agencies to participate in resolving this matter with the greatest urgency in accordance to the laws and the Constitution of Malaysia,” said MNEB said in the statement signed off by co-ordinators Soon Koi Voon, Liau Kok Meng and Wong Choon Tat.
“As concerned citizens of this nation and spiritual practitioners, we humbly urge all parties concerned to cease the animosity, refrain from carrying out the so-called ‘burning festivities’ and come together to seek amicable solutions,” added MNEB.
Muslim and Christian leaders here have been at loggerheads over usage of the Arabic word “Allah”, with the former claiming that it refers exclusively to the Islamic God.
In last Friday’s sermon, the Malaysian Islamic Development Department’s (JAKIM) warned Muslims nationwide of attempts by “enemies of Islam” to confuse them into believing that all religions are the same.
Last week, Perkasa chief Datuk Ibrahim Ali called on Muslims to burn the Malay-language bibles that contain the word “Allah” and other religious Arabic script.
A priest lodged a police report on Tuesday in Penang over the distribution of anonymous pamphlets advertising a “festival” to burn the Malay language bibles at a field there today.
The police have called up Ibrahim, who is also the Pasir Mas MP, to record his statement, following calls by the Bar Council to charge him under the Sedition Act.
A Sabah church group said last Friday that the religious freedom of Christian Bumiputeras was under attack, pointing out that most adherents of the faith in Malaysia came from East Malaysia and use the Malay language.
Church leaders were further displeased by the Jakim sermon, saying that Jakim was blatantly inciting suspicion and intolerance between Islam and Christianity.
Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin yesterday refused to condemn Ibrahim’s bible-burning threat, and instead called on people to stop blowing up the issue.
The “Allah” dispute, which first erupted after the historic 2008 general election, remains a controversial topic in the run-up to this year’s polls that must be held by April.
Debate resurfaced last month after DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng, who is also the Penang chief minister, called on Putrajaya to lift a ban on Malay-language Bibles in Borneo Malaysia.
Several state rulers and Islamic religious authorities then reminded non-Muslims of state laws banning use of the word, despite conflicting with a 2009 High Court judgment that ruled “Allah” was not exclusive to Islam.
MNEB is a network of Buddhist leaders that encourage members to participate in activities that drive social change.
When the religious authority is beholden to the sitting government which is hell bent in dividing the people to rule we only can expect endless rubbish from these morons.
Comment by Ahmad Madon — January 27, 2013 @ 8:02 PM |
Why talk about religions?
Somebody should arrest Mahathir and ask him to explain how he has been said to own RM132 billions!
Comment by HKR112 — January 27, 2013 @ 2:03 PM |
HOW IS IT THAT WE DON’T HEAR MUCH OF THE INDONESIANS DAILY RANTING & RAVING OVER THE USE OF WORDS?
THEY HAVE BETTER THINGS TO DO & JUST GET ON WITH THEIR LIVES!
Comment by MALAY CHRISTIAN — January 27, 2013 @ 1:13 PM |
Only uncivlised and weak-minded people behave like this … severe inferiority complex
Comment by tigeryk — January 27, 2013 @ 3:55 PM |
If at all the word “ALLAH” was offensive and should NOT be used by the non-muslims, then the country Indonesia with the majority number of muslims should and would have taken up arms in protest long long ago. They are silent and living quite peacefully with the minority of Christians there who have the Bible published in their language using the word “ALLAH” freely. If that is so then why are the fanatic malays here jumping like a cat on a hot tin roof?
Comment by Lourdes Selvadurai — January 27, 2013 @ 4:42 PM |
In future there will be no religion, because people will only worship MONEY … no money no God
Comment by tigeryk — January 28, 2013 @ 12:13 PM |