I attended the “Allah : Siapa yang punya?” forum organised by Free Public Forum, PMIUM and KLSCAH at the Chinese Assembly Hall last Monday.
If you were not there, you missed out on a great effort by our youth at civilised discourse on a difficult issue plaguing this nation.
To the organisers, I say well done. Go forth and organise more of these forums. Educate our rakyat not just on the truth behind the issues confronting our society, but also on how to exchange thoughts and ideas without abandoning decorum and good form.
For an insight into the proceedings that evening, take a peek at what one of the speakers, Hasmi Hashim, had to say HERE.
I want to share with you about an encounter I had with three Malay youths outside the hall when I stepped out for a dose of nicotene.
After confirming that I moderate this blog, they wanted my views on this ‘Allah’ issue.
I told them that when I was in Batang Ai last year in the run-up to the by-election there, I had the opportunity to chat with some Dayak Catholics on this very issue.
I was told by these Dayak that “Allah” was integral to their recitations during the baptismal ceremony, during Holy Communion and in the Lord’s Prayer.
I was told that if “Allah” was not mentioned, then their prayers were nullified.
I asked the three youth if they were aware of this.
They all said ‘No’.
I asked them if they were aware that in the Christian Arab world, God was referred to as “Allah”.
All three said ‘Yes’.
I asked them to now imagine a country where the majority of the inhabitants were Christian who spoke Arabic and for whom, reference to God was by the name “Allah”. Imagine, too, a small minority of Muslims in that country who also referred to God by the name “Allah”.
The Christians in that country now want to ban the minority Muslims from using the name “Allah” on the stated reason that they fear such use of that name will confuse many Christians. They insist that this may lead to many of their Christians converting to Islam. This may lead to a breakdown in public order, they say.
Would this be fair to the minority Muslims, I now asked the three youths.
Silence.
Then one chap said ‘No’.
If it would not be fair to the minority Muslims in that make believe nation, are we being fair to our minority Christian brothers and sisters in this real country of ours, I asked.
Again, silence.
If you want others elsewhere to be kind to your minority Muslim brothers and sisters in their midst, should you not be kind to minorities in your own vicinity, I asked.
More silence.
I told them that was my view on this issue. Do unto others as you would want done unto you and your own.
I leave you with a video clip of the views of my brother from East Malaysia, Pastor Solomon Bulan, which was shared with me by another brother, Pastor Sivin Kit.
ktteokt
January 16, 2010
In the very first place, how sure are these ultra-holy Muslims that the Almighty is comfortable with this name, ALLAH? Has anyone ever obtained consent from the Almighty to be name thus? So, what is there to fight about?
babicina
January 17, 2010
When God appeared to Moses and Moses ask His name He said “I am who I am.”
I am the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
In fact He is eternal and omnipotent and has no name.
let me quote from Exodus 3: 13 – 15,
Moses said to God, Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them,”The God of your fathers has sent me to you and they ask me, “What is his name?” Then what shall I tell them?”
God said to Moses, I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israeites. I am has sent me to you.
God also said to Moses, ” Say to the Israelites, the Lord the God of your fathers- the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob has sent me to you. This is my name forever, the name by which I am to be remembered from generation to generation.
As far as I know all the terms God, Allah are languages referring to the Almighty the creator of heavens and earth and not God’s actual name.
groggy
January 16, 2010
i am amazed at the way both the Muslims and Christians address the matter. emotions – either they do not know their religion or they intentionally politicize the matter. rational – these people are objective and very clear about what they are talking. al jazeera 101 East and Inside story said them all.its obvious. one group regurgitates while another responds with facts. sadly what i am seeing is diametrically opposite of what they preach.
Fbeg84
March 4, 2010
As muslim, I would have to say you have a point.
Richard Loh
January 16, 2010
One thing in “Malaysia Bodoh” and “1Malaysia2Systems” is that they can do whatever they like unto others and they will use the ISA, PDRM and Judiciary if you dare to do unto them….
Jason Kay
January 16, 2010
I’ve always wondered whether a dose, or two, of nicotine could increase the clarity of my words when I open my mouth (I’ve seen this with some lawyers – they get fantastic ideas after a few puffs).
Sad to say, I’ll never know.
The point of this? Just a belated “Thank you” for all your efforts.
Jason
sang kancil
January 16, 2010
Such a beautiful sayings and I believe is one of many from Confucius. I believe that one of the many steps forward is education. This is the best opportunity for all concerned to bring to the people the common sense and principle approach from now.
KK
January 16, 2010
Er..does it mean that from now onwards, Non Muslims in Malaysia are not allowed to embrace Islam ?
This arises from the fact that one needs to recite “La ilaha il-Allah, Muhammad-ur-Rasulullah” three times before converting to Islam.
Gan
January 16, 2010
Simple & clear explanation … that’s what the msm should be doing.
FY
January 16, 2010
Bro Haris,
What a great way to explain the situation by quoting Confucius. I salute you bro.
babicina
January 17, 2010
I thought he quoted the bible:
Jesus taught us to obey 2 commandments:
1) Love the Lord your God with all your heart……
2) Love your neighbour as you love yourself.
Meng
January 17, 2010
Will they have a different set of insignia and rank for the non muslim in the army. Presently the the word is on the army’s rank and insignia
Naskam
January 17, 2010
Interesting observation.
Siebel
January 17, 2010
Haris,
Besides having a heart of gold, you are also a good teacher.
Many Thanks.
May 2010 be a great year for you and your family.
Siebel
Blush
Leithaisor
January 17, 2010
Personally I have long had it with many mere humans claiming to speak for God. And just after the recent Haitian earthquake which may have claimed as many as 200,000 victims, a loud-mouth TV envangelist cold-heartedly claimed that it was something like Divine retribution because the Haitian made a pact with the devil to gain independence from the French many years ago. He had no qualms about speaking rather authoratatively on that. Even said with conviction, “And so the devil said, “OK, it’s a deal.”" This Pat fella has some direct line to the devil to be able to quote like that meh?
(Video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQ4dA6kZsEs)
Cold-heartednesss aside, there is also the point that even if his intentions were noble – at least to he himself – Pat Robertson has to me exercised something like artistic licence with the truth, and embellished facts with a great deal of unsubstantiated glitter. Does his God need such “assistence” if Pat Robertson truly believed that his God is Almighty?
Any lesson there for us Malaysians to learn?
Pat Lu
January 17, 2010
A man came home from work and his children ran to him and called out ‘Ayah! Ayah!’. His neighbor got very upset and said to him, “Can you please tell your children not to call you ‘Ayah’ ?” The man asked, “Why?” The neighbor retorted, “Because my children call me ’Ayah’ too. They might get confused and mistaken you to be their father.”
All are welcomed to join the FB group:
“We support the use of the name Allah by all Malaysians”
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=248123628088
Republican Man
January 17, 2010
Confused individual either you are Christian, Muslim, Hindus, Sikh, Jews, Taoist, Jainism etc, etc are a low class individual and are scared of their own shadow.
They need to study and grasp what their individual religion actually thought them about it further and not become only a half baked loaf of useless bread. No one need that type of product in the multi-racial and religious society, as what we have in Malaysia today.
Nothing can change anything without your consent and concern and not unless you want it to be done, be it religion, thought, principle and destiny, or you are not having any idea and brain to think for yourself.
I was once very proud of our country, Malaysia in the late 70′s and early 80′s, but after that, the country is going down the drain and further and further, until it hit the embankment full of shit and that is why it is spewing into the air and got smelly and dirty, because of manipulation by those in power for all they can get their hand and hold onto.
What do we have left in the future with the present BN regime. Change them, come GE 13, that is for sure with no question asked.
steve
January 17, 2010
Well done Mr. PM and HM. You set out to politicise this Allah issue and both of you have succeeded to some degree. Only some mind you. Your endeavour to create widespread unrest failed miserably. The rakyat is not buying it and both of you are too tainted to be credible.Just get back to serious work and get this country going again. We’ve wasted enough time as it is.
Bigjoe
January 17, 2010
All this talk about Muslim opposing it. If you go to the Facebook page set up by Mukhriz to oppose the court decision, and go to the discussion, most of the latest comments support the Herald proving beyond a shadow of doubt, those who oppose are the minority.
Pat
January 17, 2010
Syabas, even if you only managed to reach just one of those three. It’s a start.
telur dua
January 17, 2010
But UMNO is the embodiment of injustice, inequality and of might is right. It has no humanity.
So long as they say it is fair, the rest can go eat shit.
An injustice is an injustice, no matter who is the victim. This they do not want to know.
The Scarlet Pimple
January 17, 2010
Aiyah! This smoke screen is really thiCk and will not dissipate into thin air! The Gomen is stoking the smoke and we seem to be going around in circles. This is exactly what out NajisC4 and his gang want ….. to deflect the public interest and inquiry into all the MAJOR items that need to be addressed.
“Who killed cock Robin?”
“Don’t worry about the killing ….. make sure the rakyat are concerned about something trivial”.
And it came to pass …. a mere triviality has put everything into oblivion. If this keeps up, then it is only a matter of time before NajisC4 & his merry men bring in martial Law over something small …. result: NO GE13 !! Wake up Malaysia!
PoliticoCat
January 17, 2010
Brilliant, perhaps one day, all Malaysians, especially those in the majority will understand this concept.
But I do doubt it. Perhaps when the end approaches for Malaysia, but again I doubt it.
IbnAbdHalim
January 17, 2010
….but to UMNO it’s their very own survival. Actually religiously it’s a non-issue. UMNO is fanning it in order to stay in power at least for another half a century. To beat it a continuous campaign must be launched to put UMNO ‘to sleep’ forever. That’s the only option left because that party will never stop at anything to remain in power. They’ve already mortgaged the Malays all in out and now is their religion.
SH Cheah
January 17, 2010
I’m glad that you’re walking by reasons and facts based. Agreed with your philosophy “do unto others as you would have done unto you”.
Farouk A. Peru
January 17, 2010
Salaam Abang Haris,
It is ironic that our religion of islam attaches great importance to justice – we are told by God to judge equitibly between mankind (quran 4/58)- yet Muslims are the worst culprits of double standards. We expect others to convert to Islam but refuse Muslims the same right. We expect others to respect our infringements (like reciting the azan during morning prayers) yet we cannot accomodate the needs of others.
babicina
January 18, 2010
I think some of the intelligent devious minds of this world knows religion’s ability to control people and are using it as a tool politically.
That is why suicide bombers who bomb even their own brothers think they are going to heaven as martyr because of such devious teachings.
Over here it is exploited to unite the malays over an “imaginary foe,” for political mileage.
The govt forgot the people are better educated and well informed today unlike during the previous dictator’s regime.
lanunkota
January 17, 2010
We can argue all we want but do not forget that what happened in Haiti can happen to our country too. And it can happen in the most populated Muslim area and millions of Muslims could lose their life. When that happens I would like to know what would the remaining Muslims would say about GOD. Are we thinking it would not happen to our country? When that happens who do you think would be lending a helping hand to the Muslims?
Siew Chin
January 17, 2010
Hmmmm is this caused by lazy MPs?
http://bananachinese.wordpress.com/2010/01/17/dreaming-of-a-high-income-economy-legislate-1malaysia-now/
Please give your opinion, Haris. Tq.
4RAKYAT
January 18, 2010
haris
u did not spank that three malay youths did u?
well said, well asked.
4RAKYAT
Lawa
January 18, 2010
As a Malay, I am ashamed of what is being done by those who claim to be Muslims and those who burn churches and Sikh temples. These people see the speck of dust across the sea but do not see the log across their eyes. Munafik benar.
For Mr PM, shame on you for trying to fan the fires of racial strife. Your ‘kafir’ advisers have give you rotten advice.
I am so glad that the Christian and Sikh community have responded by not retaliating and falling into your trap. They have instead responded by forgiving you and your hooligans and praying for you.
Shame on you fellow Malaysians who are still ‘katak di bawah tempurung’ – go read up and do research on where the word Allah comes from. Practice what you preach – go read the Quran – even the Saudi Arabian Wahabi are better behaved than all you guys.
To fellow Malaysians who have not reacted but have kept the peace:
It is now time to do something for our nation.
Go tell the message to all your friends and relatives that it is now time to cut out the cancerous cells in our nation.
Tell them truth and tell to think real hard before they vote in GE13
Shakuntala
January 18, 2010
Please end this debate….God cannot be debated. As much as He is Eternal, He is also not easy to grasp.One has to seek and yet not find.therein lies the mystery surrounding HIM…that’s how difficult HE is.
Please don’t take him for granted. Please do not hound HIM. HE does not belong.
We just have to seek guidance. Treat Him the way each of us wants to….say whatever we like to Him, either in praise or when we desperately seek HIs Divine help, at a time when we are most vulnerable.
Prayer lends itself to so many ways…we may shout it out, or we may praise from the quietness of our hearts. So say what you will and carry on.
He will not mind what we call HIM,HE will not rebuke,HE will not censor, He will be ever ready to embrace us. and tell us, “Come to Me all you that labour and are burdened and I will give you rest.
May we leave HIM in peace and do our own thing, as long as we are respectful of all the beautiful things He has given us, including first and foremost, human beings.
I never meant to make it sound religious, but am quite sick and tired about pulling God to bits….mean to say, who the hell are we, compared to HIM.
Haris, thank you more than 2010 times, for putting sense into our heads, with your super wit, your excellent and caring thoughts, which you impart so beautifully. I truly believe that you have a special mission to fulfill, not impossible…a mission which is also HIS…that is, to learn and understand, to know, to live in peace and goodwill, towards ALL our fellowmen.
And then to go away with only a whisper….it does not matter that we would go, unhonourned and unsung.
It does not matter HOW we sing, what matters is the song.
Happy New Year 2010 everyone.
ktteokt
January 18, 2010
Come to think of it, in terms of “proprietory rights”, can Saudi Arabia now sue these ultra-Muslims in Malaysia for “assuming the rights of its owner” for the holy word? After all, this word originated from Saudi and Malaysia just “borrowed” the word! So, does the borrower have a better “ownership” of the word than its original owner?
lion
January 18, 2010
ktteokt,
No.
Saudi kenot sue.
The word “Allah” didn’t came from Saudi Arabia alone.
In Jordan as well as in Palestine, in Lebanon, in Syria, in Yemen and even in Ethiopia, “Allah” was the common calling, meaning “God”.
ktteokt
January 21, 2010
Doesn’t matter who has proprietory rights over the word, Malaysia definitely isn’t the lawful owner! So, being a borrower, Malaysia is assuming the full rights of the owner of this word! This AMOUNTS TO THEFT under the THEFT ACT of Great Britain!
vsp
January 19, 2010
What business has UMNO to interfere in the practice of other religions? The Koran does not proscribe the use of the word “Allxh” only to Muslims nor does it says that Islam is tied to a particular race? If UMNO is successful in their bid to ban “Allxh”, then Allxh is their plaything.
What other prohibitions will follow henceforth? Will there be exclusive enclaves for Muslims in this country? Will there be separate infrastructures for Muslims and non-Muslims? Will there be dictates that other religions should not literally pray to any Gods because according to UMNO interpretations there is no God but only their brand of “Allxh”?
This is no joke because it is already in the Constitution that the definition of a race is determined by legislation and not by biology. There were also calls by UMNO ultras in the light of the cowhead incident and the liquor ban in Selangor that certain areas were the exclusive enclaves of section of a particular religion. UMNO is in total control of all the apparatus of the state and they are likely to repeat the footsteps of the Fascist and Communist regimes in the days of yore with the temptation to ban all other religion except their brand of Islam.
UMNO has already demonstrated what they are capable of. They are out of control and has no respect for the law of this country. Scary isn’t it?