'Allah' issue: 'Don't compare apples with oranges'
Wong Teck ChiPublished: Jan 11, 2010 4:00 PM | Updated: Jan 11, 2010 10:53 PM
The Home Ministry has told foreign diplomats that the use of ‘Allah’ by non-Muslims in Malaysia cannot be compared with other countries - just as apples cannot be compared with oranges.
The Home Ministry has told foreign diplomats that the use of ‘Allah’ by non-Muslims in Malaysia cannot be compared with other countries - just as apples cannot be compared with oranges.
Ministry secretary-general Mahmood Adam and deputy police chief Ismail Omar (below) hosted the briefing this morning in Kuala Lumpur for 61 diplomats or representatives of foreign missions.
During the session, the police claimed that the situation is under control, even as a report emerged that a church in Seremban had been attacked.
At a press conference afterwards, Mahmood said the ministry’s purpose was to provide information so that the diplomats can convey an accurate picture to their respective governments.
He said eight questions were raised during the session. One questioned the government’s ban on the use of ‘Allah’ by non-Muslims, when other countries allow the practice.
“I replied that, to be fair, you have to compare an apple with an apple, an orange with an orange. Malaysia is different with other countries. We are different from Indonesia, they have different religious understanding,” said Mahmood (right).
“It involves the question of publications. If it is just (used in) ordinary conversation, Muslims won’t be angry.”
‘Normal and safe’
Ismail assured the diplomats that the situation is under control and that everything is normal and safe.
He stressed that inspector-general of police Musa Hassan has ordered personnel nationwide to carry out checks at all places of worship and that the situation will continue to be monitored.
“I urge all Malaysians to (continue with normal activities) and not listen to rumours or believe in unconfirmed information (sent via) SMS,” he said.
Ismail said the police will be transparent about the situation and that statements will be issued twice a day, at noon and later in the afternoon.
The police have yet to arrest anyone, he said, although they have received much information.
“(We) still have to check and verify this, before making an arrest. I have also read blogs...there are some names, but police have to make sure that they catch the right suspects.”
Since last Friday, there have been eight reports of arson attacks on churches in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Perak, Sarawak and Negri Sembilan.
Protests by Muslims began after a Kuala Lumpur High Court ruling allowed Catholic weekly magazine Herald to use the word ‘Allah’ in its Bahasa Malaysia version. The government, in banning this, has argued that 'Allah' should be used only by Muslims.
The term 'Allah' is widely used among Christian indigenous peoples in Sabah and Sarawak, many of whom speak Bahasa Malaysia.
Ministry secretary-general Mahmood Adam and deputy police chief Ismail Omar (below) hosted the briefing this morning in Kuala Lumpur for 61 diplomats or representatives of foreign missions.
During the session, the police claimed that the situation is under control, even as a report emerged that a church in Seremban had been attacked.At a press conference afterwards, Mahmood said the ministry’s purpose was to provide information so that the diplomats can convey an accurate picture to their respective governments.
He said eight questions were raised during the session. One questioned the government’s ban on the use of ‘Allah’ by non-Muslims, when other countries allow the practice.
“I replied that, to be fair, you have to compare an apple with an apple, an orange with an orange. Malaysia is different with other countries. We are different from Indonesia, they have different religious understanding,” said Mahmood (right). “It involves the question of publications. If it is just (used in) ordinary conversation, Muslims won’t be angry.”
‘Normal and safe’
Ismail assured the diplomats that the situation is under control and that everything is normal and safe.
He stressed that inspector-general of police Musa Hassan has ordered personnel nationwide to carry out checks at all places of worship and that the situation will continue to be monitored.
“I urge all Malaysians to (continue with normal activities) and not listen to rumours or believe in unconfirmed information (sent via) SMS,” he said.
Ismail said the police will be transparent about the situation and that statements will be issued twice a day, at noon and later in the afternoon.The police have yet to arrest anyone, he said, although they have received much information.
“(We) still have to check and verify this, before making an arrest. I have also read blogs...there are some names, but police have to make sure that they catch the right suspects.”
Since last Friday, there have been eight reports of arson attacks on churches in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Perak, Sarawak and Negri Sembilan.
Protests by Muslims began after a Kuala Lumpur High Court ruling allowed Catholic weekly magazine Herald to use the word ‘Allah’ in its Bahasa Malaysia version. The government, in banning this, has argued that 'Allah' should be used only by Muslims.
The term 'Allah' is widely used among Christian indigenous peoples in Sabah and Sarawak, many of whom speak Bahasa Malaysia.
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