“Before this they demanded to use the Malay language for their Bibles. Then they demanded to use the word ‘Allah’ for Christian publications. Today they demand to use the word ‘Allah’ without restrictions. After this, they will demand the right to convert Malays to Christianity without restrictions. What else will they end up demanding?!” PARTI […]
Herald
Home minister rescinds new gazette on “Allah”
KOTA KINABALU, 1 March 2009: The home ministry has rescinded a government gazette that allowed conditional use of the word “Allah” in Christian publications with immediate effect. Bernama reported on 28 Feb that Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar admitted there was a mistake in enacting the gazette that resulted in confusion over the […]
Restriction on use of “Allah” doesn’t make sense: MCA
PETALING JAYA, 27 Feb 2009: The latest gazetted order on the conditional use of the word “Allah” by Christian publications is unacceptable and does not make sense, the MCA said. In a statement released today, the MCA said it acknowledged that the home ministry had heeded the calls by Christian groups to allow Christian publications […]
Herald to discuss new order with AG’s Chambers
By BernamaKUALA LUMPUR, 27 Feb 2009: The High Court here was told today that the use of the word “Allah” in publications relating to Christianity is no longer prohibited due a new order gazetted by the home minister early this year. Senior federal counsel Nizam Zakaria, for the Attorney-General’s (AG’s) Chambers, informed the court that the […]
Christian publications can use“Allah”
By Zedeck SiewPETALING JAYA, 26 Feb 2009: The government has gazetted a ruling that prohibits Christian publications from using the word “Allah”, unless they carry the disclaimer “For Christianity” on their front covers. While the ruling, published in the Government Gazette on 16 Feb, allows publications like the Catholic weekly Herald to continue using the word in […]
Muslim NGOs view Herald’s action as rude
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 […]
Dirty Malay phrasebook!
By Zedeck SiewTHIS gem was spotted on the blog of one Anthony Monteiro, the sadly underappreciated Malaysian art critic. He wrote it in November 2008, but recent events have made the subject more topical than ever, so he has consented to my reproducing his work here: (Source: Wikipedia) You probably know the British sextet Monty Python, whether […]
Religion, crime and politics
Translation by Zedeck SiewUSE of the word “Allah”, A Kugan’s death in custody, and political party-hopping were some of the concerns the Malay-language press was engrossed in between 28 Jan to 2 Feb 2009. “Don’t challenge Islam” The headline for Mingguan Malaysia‘s 1 Feb edition was Jangan cabar Islam, and the lead read: “Don’t challenge the sanctity of […]
Hark: the Herald
By Zedeck SiewCorrected on 29 Jan 2009 at 11.40am “The use of the word ‘Allah’ by non-Muslims may arouse sensitivity and create confusion amongst the Muslims in this country.” FORMER Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Dr Abdullah Md Zin, quoted on 4 Jan 2008. He was elaborating on a cabinet decision to hold as exclusive […]
Ministry to investigate Herald’s “Allah” use (Updated)
(Updated 6:10pm, 21 Jan 2009) PUTRAJAYA, 21 Jan 2009: The Home Ministry will investigate claims that the Herald — The Catholic Weekly was still using the word “Allah” despite the government’s decision prohibiting the publication from doing so. Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar said the decision to disallow the weekly from using the word […]
