"In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful."
[Qur'ân 1:1 - Arabic transliteration]
"Bismi-Allahi ar-Rahmani, ar-Raheem"
[Qur'ân 1:1 - Arabic]
[Genesis 1:1 - English Bible - King James Version]
"In the beginning God created the Heaven and the Earth . . . "
[Genesis 1:1 - Arabic transliteration]
"Fee al-badi' khalaqa Allahu as-Samaawaat wa al-Ard . . . "
[Genesis 1:1 - Arabic Bible]
While I am not here to judge or condemn the government of Malaysia in asking the Catholic church to not use the word 'Allah' in their publications nor sermon, I can't say that the Muslims in this country; majority being Malays who were born muslim, or any other race for that matter, are articulate enough to differentiate the two usage in two different religion.
Above, is a picture of Malaysian Muslims offering a special solat hajat in front of the Istana Kehakiman court while awaiting for verdict to be issued by the Federal Court against the usage of the word (term) 'Allah' at Putrajaya today; and below it, is a an example of the usage of 'Allah' in both Al Quran Kareem and the Holy Bible.
Both bring the meaning of God.
Both are 'Ahlul Kitab' or People of The Book.
Those who have travelled or watch certain channel and documentaries will find that the coptic church; in Egypt for instance engraved the word Allah on their church door and walls. If this is not surprising enough, try watching an Arabic channel, men wearing thobe and shemagh, with hand clasp together -- but the difference were the women -- they are donning a head scarf not totally covering the head and there isn't any barrier to segregate men and women as they do in Islam during prayers.
And these people are not Muslim, even the clothing and language is Arabic.
It is hard to know or differentiate especially when we hailed from a different background and region.
Thus why the reason Malaysian government gave for the ban is very fair.
The Federal Court suspended their verdict on Roman Catholic church appeal to be allowed using the word 'Allah' in their weekly publication ''The Herald'' which had been turned down by the High Court October last year.
The government won the case over public safety, which I reckoned due to this region and it's a non-Arabic speaking country, and 'Allah' refers to the One God Muslims pray to and usage by other religion might jeopardise the akidah or pillars of one muslim.
Special prayers or solat such as this are made when Muslims seek refuge and guidance in needed circumstances. Therefore, pious Muslims, following the tradition of the Prophet (saw) offer optional prayers in times of fear, during the latter part of the night and at other times, and when they need something- in addition to performing the obligatory prayers.
Photo~ BERNAMA
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