Allah issue: ‘A show of power by majority’

Leven Woon

The Council of Churches Malaysia criticised PAS for its about-turn to disallow non-Muslims from using Allah in holy books as a show of power by the majority.

The PAS Syura Council’s decision to ban non-Muslims from using Allah in their holy books have drawn fire from the Council of Churches Malaysia (CCM).

Its secretary-general Rev Hermen Sastri said the controversies surrounding the issue were “a show of power of the majority”.

“If you say [the usage of Allah] would create confusion, then you teach your people how not to be confused.

“The controversies are just a show of power, the power of the majority over the minority,” he told FMT when contacted today.

Sastri was commenting on the Syura Council’s decision last night that non-Muslims are not allowed to use the word “Allah” in their holy books because it does not reflect the real meaning of the word.

In a seven-paragraph statement issued after a meeting last night, PAS said the word “Allah” is a word named specifically after the God who named himself as “Allah”.

“Therefore, translating the word ‘God’ or ‘Lord’ into ‘Allah’ from any non-Muslim holy book is not allowed because it is wrong and creates confusion.

“Therefore, it should be prevented,” the statement read.

However, they said non-Muslims could utter the word “Allah” because it is a universal term and even the pre-Islamic Arabians had used it to refer to the Almighty.

Sastri said he was extremely disappointed with the “double talks” from PAS as its latest statement contradicts with the Pakatan Rakyat’s collective decision announced last week.

While pointing out that PAS must resolve its internal conflicts over the matter, he said the CCM would not stop using the word.

“They can say anything they want, but they can’t impose [their belief] on the non-Muslims. I don’t believe in your religion, so how can you ask me to follow what you said?” Sastri said.

He said that prohibiting non-Muslims from using the word “Allah” would also be difficult for the Christians from Sabah and Sarawak who have been using it to conduct their prayers.

Sastri, however, sidestepped the question when asked about the apparent concern that people in Peninsular Malaysia are now using the word “Allah” to preach to the Muslims, saying that only East Malaysians who reside in the Peninsula use the word.

“[The detractors] cannot say East Malaysians can’t use it once they come over to the Peninsula. We are in one country, there should only be one law for all,” he said.

He pointed out that Islam has also been preaching to non-Muslims through various channels and the Christians could also claim that it creates confusion.

“Once you start, it just not going to end,” he said.