PAS to address internal split over 'Allah' controversy
Published: Jan 11, 2013 2:18 PM | Updated: Jan 12, 2013 12:16 AM
To address the conflicting views among PAS leaders on the use of the word ‘Allah’ in the Malay Bible, the party's highest decision making body, the Syura Council, should review the party's decision made in 2010 to allow non-Muslims to use the word.
To address the conflicting views among PAS leaders on the use of the word ‘Allah’ in the Malay Bible, the party's highest decision making body, the Syura Council, should review the party's decision made in 2010 to allow non-Muslims to use the word.
The view was expressed by PAS deputy ulama chief Mahfodz Mohamed (left) in a report in the English daily, The Star, today.
The Johor PAS chief is among the 15 members of the Syura Council chaired by the party's spiritual leader, Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, who supports the previous decision of allowing 'Allah' to be used in the Malay version of the Bible.
“PAS agreed in 2010 that Islam does not forbid non-Muslims from using the word ‘Allah’, provided that it is not misused.
“As some leaders do not share the same opinion, it is the Syura Council that must come up with a consensus,” Mahfodz was quoted as saying.
The split has been obvious over the past few weeks with PAS leaders giving conflicting statements openly and it has been amplified by pro-Umno media, including Utusan Malaysia.
Those supporting the previous decision are president Abdul Hadi Awang, his deputy Mohamad Sabu, Youth chief Nasruddin Hassan and Mahfodz, who were of the view that 'Allah' can be used by non-Muslims as long as it is not abused.
This stance is also agreed by Pakatan Rakyat.
However, PAS secretary-general Mustafa Ali, deputy spiritual leader Haron Din, ulama chief Harun Taib, and information chief Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man, are among those against the use of ‘Allah’ in the Malay Bible.
Earlier on, Tuan Ibrahim even issued a statement stating that it was the party’s stance before his words were denied by Hadi.
The thorny matter raised its head again when DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng, in his Christmas message, called on Putrajaya to allow Christians to use the term 'Allah' in the Bahasa Malaysia version of the Bible.
DAP later clarified that the call was only for the term to be allowed for use in Sabah and Sarawak.
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The view was expressed by PAS deputy ulama chief Mahfodz Mohamed (left) in a report in the English daily, The Star, today.The Johor PAS chief is among the 15 members of the Syura Council chaired by the party's spiritual leader, Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, who supports the previous decision of allowing 'Allah' to be used in the Malay version of the Bible.
“PAS agreed in 2010 that Islam does not forbid non-Muslims from using the word ‘Allah’, provided that it is not misused.
“As some leaders do not share the same opinion, it is the Syura Council that must come up with a consensus,” Mahfodz was quoted as saying.
The split has been obvious over the past few weeks with PAS leaders giving conflicting statements openly and it has been amplified by pro-Umno media, including Utusan Malaysia.
Those supporting the previous decision are president Abdul Hadi Awang, his deputy Mohamad Sabu, Youth chief Nasruddin Hassan and Mahfodz, who were of the view that 'Allah' can be used by non-Muslims as long as it is not abused.
This stance is also agreed by Pakatan Rakyat.
However, PAS secretary-general Mustafa Ali, deputy spiritual leader Haron Din, ulama chief Harun Taib, and information chief Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man, are among those against the use of ‘Allah’ in the Malay Bible.
Earlier on, Tuan Ibrahim even issued a statement stating that it was the party’s stance before his words were denied by Hadi.
The thorny matter raised its head again when DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng, in his Christmas message, called on Putrajaya to allow Christians to use the term 'Allah' in the Bahasa Malaysia version of the Bible.
DAP later clarified that the call was only for the term to be allowed for use in Sabah and Sarawak.
Related stories
NGOs protest use of 'Allah' in Malay Bibles... again
Group: M'sia only country to restrain use of 'Allah' word
'Allah' cannot be translated as 'God', says Hadi
In the name of Allah, Umno eyes Malay votes
Any Muslim been misled with use of 'Allah'?
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