Tsu Koon wants win-win solution over ‘Allah’
Tsu Koon wants win-win solution over ?Allah?
By Adib Zalkapli KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 6 — Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon today supported the use of the word “Allah” by Christians but said the Muslims’ concern over the abuse must also be addressed.
“I understand that the Christian Bumiputeras in Sabah and Sarawak have been using the term ‘Allah’ to refer to God even before independence and so have the Sikh community in their holy book. Hence, it is not a recent phenomenon or even an intentional attempt to confuse or convert Muslims,” said Koh (picture) in a statement today.
He is the second member of the Cabinet to back the use of Allah by Christians. Yesterday Plantations Industry and Commodities Minister Tan Sri Bernard Dompok said the use of the word “Allah” to refer to God is caused by the widespread usage of the Malay language among the younger generation.
“To bar them from using the term ‘Allah’ will be tantamount to restricting their religious practice and use of languages, as the term has become part of their own languages and in Bahasa Malaysia,” said Koh.
The Gerakan president added that despite the prohibition to convert
Muslims, the community’s concern that the Christians’ use of the word “Allah” would confuse Muslims must also be addressed.
“Therefore, in the spirit of 1 Malaysia, both sides must try to understand and empathise with the concerns and fears of each other and be as inclusive as possible in seeking a solution, said Koh.
Last Thursday, the Kuala Lumpur High Court ruled that the Catholic weekly Herald has a constitutional right to use the term.
The Home Affairs Ministry, which is a respondent in the case, filed an appeal at the Court of Appeal on Monday. It also filed an application for a stay of execution.
The Herald, which is printed in four languages, has been using the word “Allah” as a translation for God in its Malay-language section.
Several Muslim groups are planning a nationwide protest this Friday to express their unhappiness over the court’s decision.
Tsu Koon wants win-win solution over ?Allah?
By Adib Zalkapli KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 6 — Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon today supported the use of the word “Allah” by Christians but said the Muslims’ concern over the abuse must also be addressed.
“I understand that the Christian Bumiputeras in Sabah and Sarawak have been using the term ‘Allah’ to refer to God even before independence and so have the Sikh community in their holy book. Hence, it is not a recent phenomenon or even an intentional attempt to confuse or convert Muslims,” said Koh (picture) in a statement today.
He is the second member of the Cabinet to back the use of Allah by Christians. Yesterday Plantations Industry and Commodities Minister Tan Sri Bernard Dompok said the use of the word “Allah” to refer to God is caused by the widespread usage of the Malay language among the younger generation.
“To bar them from using the term ‘Allah’ will be tantamount to restricting their religious practice and use of languages, as the term has become part of their own languages and in Bahasa Malaysia,” said Koh.
The Gerakan president added that despite the prohibition to convert
Muslims, the community’s concern that the Christians’ use of the word “Allah” would confuse Muslims must also be addressed.
“Therefore, in the spirit of 1 Malaysia, both sides must try to understand and empathise with the concerns and fears of each other and be as inclusive as possible in seeking a solution, said Koh.
Last Thursday, the Kuala Lumpur High Court ruled that the Catholic weekly Herald has a constitutional right to use the term.
The Home Affairs Ministry, which is a respondent in the case, filed an appeal at the Court of Appeal on Monday. It also filed an application for a stay of execution.
The Herald, which is printed in four languages, has been using the word “Allah” as a translation for God in its Malay-language section.
Several Muslim groups are planning a nationwide protest this Friday to express their unhappiness over the court’s decision.