KUALA LUMPUR, 4 Feb 2009: The action of the Catholic weekly Herald to continue to use the word “Allah” as a translation for “God” in its Malay edition is rude and can lead to racial tensions.
Muslim Consumers Association Malaysia secretary general Datuk Dr Ma’mor Osman said use of the word which was sacred to Muslims should not be used by followers of other religions as it could cause confusion among Muslims and lead them to stray from the true path of Islam.
“Stop this rudeness and insolence before the patience of the Muslims runs out. We do not want tensions,” he told Bernama here today.
Ma’mor said use of the word “Allah” went against Article 3.1 of the Federal Constitution that clearly stated that Islam was the official religion of the country but other religions could be practised in peace.
“Followers of other religions can practise their religions but cannot influence or interfere in Islamic matters,” he said.
Malay Unity Action Front chief, Osman Abu Bakar, called on the government to take stern action against the weekly including withdrawing its permit and banning it.
“The Islamic Department should act firmly and take legal action on this group that tries to confuse Muslims and attempts to deviate them subtly,” he said.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Tan Sri Bernard Dompok, recently urged the Home Ministry to give some leeway to the Herald over the use of the word “Allah” in their publication. — Bernama
See also: For Allah’s sake
