The Islamic Society of North America Commends Malaysian Court Ruling that Affirms Religious Freedom of Christians

The Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) commends the landmark ruling by a Malaysian Court on December 31, 2009, that affirms the religious freedom of Malaysian Christians. The ruling asserts that Christians have the right to use the word “Allah” to translate “God” into Bahasa Melayu, the Malaysian language. It strikes down a government ban that was placed in 2007 on the use of the term in Christian literature.

The opponents of the use of the word Allah in reference to God have argued that the term “God” is usually translated by Malaysians who follow faiths other than Islam as “Tuhan” in Bahasa Melayu, not “Allah.” They insist that “Allah” should only be used to refer to God in Islam. This argument is contrary to both Islamic understanding and practice.

The Qur’an is quite explicit that Muslims worship the same God recognized by Christians. The Qur’an commands Muslims to declare that the God they worship and the one worshiped by the followers of revealed books, including Christians, is one: “… and say: We believe in that which has been revealed to us and revealed to you, and our God and your God is One, and to Him do we submit.” (Qur’an 29:46)

With regards to actual and historical practices, Christian Arabs have been using the word “Allah” to refer to God in their religious sources since the inception of Islam, and have never been challenged by private Muslims or Muslim governments on this ground. Islamic law is clear that followers of the Christian faith have the right to practice their religion according to their own religious teachings.

We call on the Malaysian government to uphold the religious freedom of Christians and to let the court ruling stand. We also urge Muslim NGOs to respect Islamic teachings and long-held Islamic traditions, and to withdraw their opposition to the use of the word “Allah” by their Christian compatriots.

Louay Safi, Director of Communications and Leadership Development

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Comments (23) Add Comment

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written by popuri, January 08, 2010 09:00:51

Buayanegara is only being sarcastic. Right?

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written by Lucius, January 07, 2010 20:02:02

buayanegara,

you are freaking extreme. you should not be in malaysia. you should be following osama bin laden hiding and launching attack like a coward in afghanistan. smilies/angry.gif

-1

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written by Buayanegara, January 07, 2010 17:41:34

No nonsense and all other readers,
Why u cannot understand !! The islamic teaching conducted by umno imam is the only true and real islamic teaching. All others are false - if you cannot understand that simple fact then u are all DOOMED. PAS also preach the wrong ISLAMIC teaching. What more, the Americans who tell lies and kill all over the world, can they truely understand the islamic teaching in Malaysia by umno imams.
U must all quickly repent and follow the one and only true islamic way as per Malaysian (umno) quran otherwise u are all doomed forever.

-6

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written by popuri, January 07, 2010 10:29:33

Okay. Even American Muslims are not against the Christians using the term Allah. Too bad their opinions don't count. This is Malaysia.

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written by lysa, January 07, 2010 10:19:11

Tolerance is most needed, my dear friend. Accepting other religions and respect each others. We will live in a harmony like a sound of a peaceful music. smilies/wink.gif

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written by avancc, January 07, 2010 09:56:20

I hope the YDA will step out and solve this matter... As he is the "Ketua Agama Negara"... With all the evidences, and comments from all over the world, if he makes an otherwise decision, he and all of us will be a big laughing stock of the world...

"The top leader of Islam in Malaysia misinterprets the Quran" will be all over the world newspaper soon...

I urge now that the Sultans and the Y.D.A look into all angles and annouce his statement, with press conferences and explanation to the Malays and Muslims of Malaysia... To educate and lead them with the right idealogy... Regardless of what UMM-No says... Unless if their balls is also in the custody of UMM-No.

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written by mikewang, January 07, 2010 09:27:49

Islamic Society of North America request tak pakai here because Melayu UMNO worshiping a different God from them lah.

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written by lakian, January 07, 2010 00:54:40

buayanegara you a same kind like our foreign minister.hanifuk who once said DPM is a lucrative job infront of Hilary Clinton in US.

-1

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written by Msahibul56, January 07, 2010 00:33:19

Buayanegara,

I think, by MALAYSIAN QURAN, you must have meant Umno Quran, wherein it is okay to cheat, steal, lie oppress, take bribe and commit other devilish acts.

Salam.

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written by albert zacharias, January 07, 2010 00:01:25

Dome = mosque?

There are 2 dome shaped building in Klang and I once took a photo and asked him if they are mosque. He affirms it 100 %

If you were to visit you will find that it is actually a CHinese tokong.

The temple is right in the middle of Klang town near the old Cathay cinema in front of the Domino Pizza.

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written by by2020, January 06, 2010 23:45:26

Another proof that American are more advance in all respect of social economy?

So sad!

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written by imanj, January 06, 2010 23:29:17

I think buayanegara and batsman comments should be read between the lines.With many voting them down just shows how the many just ram at an issue before thinking...!!!!

What does anyone expect from the numerous angles the whole issue is argued upon,when till today the Malay Muslims at least the majority of them who have shown that they are inclined to think that the final say rests with them..

I suppose since dome shaped catedrals are a stolen idea by the Christians,Michaelangelo painting the cisten chapel isn't authentic and a borrowed wonder from the Malays..

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written by No nonsense, January 06, 2010 23:19:15

How can u use the quran in America be compared to our MALAYSIAN QURAN.
Buayanegara do you mean to say that the Quran in America is not the same as the Quran in Malaysia? Or the quran in the middle East is also different? I am very confused by you. That means the Americans who embrace Islam are not muslims and only the ones in Malaysia are. Please can you explain in a more simple a specific way.

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written by onnetline, January 06, 2010 22:40:55

We also urge Muslim NGOs to respect Islamic teachings and long-held Islamic traditions, and to withdraw their opposition to the use of the word “Allah” by their Christian compatriots.

Mr Louay Safi,

The problem here is that these corrupted and racists Muslims leaders here in Malaysia think that can own or do anything they want and nothing can stand in their way ................... even the law of the land !

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written by IbnAbdHalim, January 06, 2010 22:03:36

That comes too early. Should have waited for fortnight or two and the appellate court will overturn the ruling. UMNO goons are incorrigible idiots. They are cashing on public ignorance. of their own doing, for the sake of their political survival.

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written by mikewang, January 06, 2010 21:53:45

We certainly have many commentators here who can't understand sarcasm and satire.

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written by Midvalley, January 06, 2010 21:47:06

OH MY GOD - ALLAHMAK whatever it is, just a form of expression, GOD is great whatever from you address GOD, GOD will be happy and accept it as long as you don't C4 others, sell jet engines, take all raykat moneys, take other's wife, ISA raykat, throw people from 14 floors, etc PLEASE ADD TO THE LIST

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written by lakian, January 06, 2010 21:35:26

can someone tell Islam came to Malaya for how long?So the Christian?

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written by Nixcloud, January 06, 2010 20:10:43

The Qur’an is quite explicit that Muslims worship the same God recognized by Christians.

christianity starts from Jesus Christ which is Nabi Isa; islam starts from prophet muhammad which came after nabi isa; so, who uses the word 'Allah' first?

so, all catholics, if this court ruling is revoked, i hope you know who to vote for next election!

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written by Buayanegara, January 06, 2010 20:04:56

Americans u r wrong !! How can u use the quran in America be compared to our MALAYSIAN QURAN.
u Americans r always falsifying everything !! Twisting the truth to suit your own aims. How can our Malaysian
umno ulamaks be wrong ? So stop insulting us Malaysians with your stupid misquotes and lies !!

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written by eloofk, January 06, 2010 20:00:28

Only UMNO Muslims have applied for the patented right exclusively to call their God "Allah." So muslims from all over the world cant call their God "Allah" but "Tuhan."

Did UMNO muslims study the Qu'ran and interpret differently from other muslims?

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written by batsman, January 06, 2010 19:32:05

Aiya! Americans should stay in America, unless you are planning to immigrate here peacefully, not like the way some you immigrated to Iraq.

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written by DreamLady, January 06, 2010 19:10:06

Louay Safi, don't rejoice as yet, the Malaysian government is going to appeal against the court's ruling allowing Christians to use the word 'Allah'. Just wait and see how much can the judge sway where the wind blows..........