A Shameful "Joke" from Malaysia .. Options

[DrGieL3]

So, who can deny if the world say that Malaysia is just laughing stock ....

Malaysian Catholic weekly told to drop use of 'Allah' in order to renew publishing permit

The Associated Press
Published: December 21, 2007

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia: A Catholic weekly newspaper in Malaysia has been told to drop the use of the word "Allah" in its Malay language section if it wants to renew its publishing permit, a senior government official said Friday.

The Herald, the organ of Malaysia's Catholic Church, has translated the word God as "Allah" but it is erroneous because Allah refers to the Muslim God, said Che Din Yusoff, a senior official at the Internal Security Ministry's publications control unit.

"Christians cannot use the word Allah. It is only applicable to Muslims. Allah is only for the Muslim god. This is a design to confuse the Muslim people," Che Din told The Associated Press.

The weekly should instead, use the word "Tuhan" which is the general term for God, he said.

Religious issues are extremely sensitive in Malaysia, where about 60 percent of the 27 million people are Malay Muslims. Ethnic Chinese, who follow Christianity and Buddhism, account for 25 percent of the population. Indians, who are mostly Hindus with a sprinkling of Christians and Muslims, are around 10 percent.

The minorities have often complained that they don't have full freedom of religion even though the constitution guarantees everybody the right to worship. The minorities cite the difficulty in obtaining permission to build their places of worship, and the Hindus have been particularly angered by the demolition of temples by government authorities in recent months.

The Herald, which has a circulation of 12,000 copies for its members, publishes reports in four languages — English, Malay, Mandarin and Tamil.

The Rev. Lawrence Andrew, editor of the Herald, said the weekly's use of the word Allah was not intended to offend Muslims.

"We follow the Bible. The Malay-language Bible uses Allah for God and Tuhan for Lord. In our prayers and in church during Malay mass, we use the word Allah," he told the AP.

"This is not something new. The word Allah has been used in Malaysia for a long time. There is no confusion," he said.

The 13-year-old weekly is still in talks with the authorities to renew its permit, which expires Dec. 31, he said, adding that they would appeal if the government refuses to budge on the issue.

Publishers in Malaysia are required to obtain annual permits from authorities under a printing law that has long been criticized by rights groups as infringing press freedoms.

There are more than 800,000 Catholics in Malaysia, Andrew said.

Che Din said Christians don't use the word Allah when they worship in English, so they shouldn't use it in the Malay language too.

There are four Malay words that must not be used by other religions, he said: Allah for God, "solat" for prayers, "kaabah" for the place of Muslim worship in Mecca and "baitula" the house of Allah.

The Herald's permit will only be renewed if they stop using Allah in their publication, he stressed.

This post has been edited by DrGieL3: Dec 22 2007, 12:21 PM

[firdausj]

Unbelievable ..........

Now, I can understand why the Malaysian government has banned usage of the Indonesian-language Bible and Malay-language Bible because of word Allah ...

1. http://www.answers.com/topic/allah
2. www.answers.com/topic/christianity-in-malaysia

This post has been edited by firdausj: Dec 23 2007, 09:26 PM

[etano]

Muslims in Malaysia ( mostly Malays ) are deemed to be so stupid to get confuse of this. The world "Allah" means GOD in Arabic. It does not mean Muslim God. Being Muslims , i wonder how these people do not know this ? Oh yes, i found the answer, they are only Muslims by name and have never learned about their religion.

[Adalah]

Muslims in Malaysia ( mostly Malays ) are deemed to be so stupid to get confuse of this. The world "Allah" means GOD in Arabic. It does not mean Muslim God. Being Muslims , i wonder how these people do not know this ? Oh yes, i found the answer, they are only Muslims by name and have never learned about their religion.

Relax, most of them got confused, doesn't mean they stupid. Beside, the word is in Arabic, not many Malay really do understand. Being muslims too, there is no 'Muslim God' term, it is one God for mankind.
And yes, today there are lot of Muslims who by name only, how shameful

[ComeClean]

doesnt the korahn say that only middle easterners are superior people while asians and blacks were born to be their slaves???

[Adalah]

it does not, where did you come out with that?? in fact, all people are the same no matter where they come from, it's the deed that differentiate us all

This post has been edited by Adalah: Dec 23 2007, 05:22 PM

[flipcombatmedic]

Well if they want it just give it. Just make sure make the government pay the reprints.

[swingdoctor]

This is all quite sad, I hate to say this but its another example of religion in Malaysia gone mad. Islam preaches treating everybody fairly and equally, this is obviously nothing to do with Islam but everything to do with power and bit by bit other religions are being squeezed.

[Bhaskara]

^How mature of you to say those words, doc.

Christians in Indonesia has since long used the word "Allah" for God, because the meaning of the word is "God" only, and does not refer to the Muslim's God. What do you suppose Arab Christians use to call their God? Better tell you retarded officials, don't make yourself a laughing stock, better do some research and thinking first before opening your mouth.

[fadlee]

^How mature of you to say those words, doc.

Christians in Indonesia has since long used the word "Allah" for God, because the meaning of the word is "God" only, and does not refer to the Muslim's God. What do you suppose Arab Christians use to call their God? Better tell you retarded officials, don't make yourself a laughing stock, better do some research and thinking first before opening your mouth.

so the christians do believe allah is their god but not jesus.. thats great news lol..

This post has been edited by fadlee: Dec 25 2007, 07:22 AM

[Esfandiari]

I wonder why all the Indons are so so busy meddling into Malaysia's affairs in this Malaysia Chatroom.

Why don't all you Indons go back to your own chatroom to solve the myriads of problems that your own country is facing rather than worrying what we Malaysians do or don't do..

Whether we allow the word 'Allah' to be used or not be used by our non-Muslims isn't really your business. We have our reasons for that.

At least our Christians are safe and secure each year celebrating Christmas without our police and volunteers having to provide security for Christians praying in their churches during Christmas. Our Muslims in Malaysia don't bomb Christian churches during Christmas.

But Indonesia isn't a safe and secure place for Christians to celebrate Christmas. Indonesian Christians worry each year that marauding Muslim extremists will burn and bomb their churches during Christmas. Indonesia has had records of having its Muslims bombing and burning Christian churches. Malaysia hasn't had. Indonesian Christians continue to live in fear come Christmas time.

This year ... yes, this year of 2007, the 25th day of December 2007, Chritmas Day ... is no exception. The Malaysian newspaper Utusan Malaysia reported today that Nadhlatul Ulama is mobilizing 17,000 volunteers to protect churches against against possible attacks by Muslim fanatics of Indonesia. Good work by NU, they must be congratulated! The Indonesian government is also providing security.

Go back Indons! Go back to your own chatroom and suggest ways how to protect your Christians on Christmas day rather wasting your silly little time on our Malaysian issues.... any by the way.. how are the Christians and Muslims doing in Maluku? Is there Rasa Sayange there between your Muslims and Christians? And are Dayaks in Kalimantan planning to massacre Madurese like they did in 1990s. And the tsunamis and the earthquakes ... go solve your problems Indons!

In case you don't know ... or pretending not to know, here is an article for you from:

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/JAK47194.htm



Heavy security in Indonesia for Christmas
24 Dec 2007 05:41:39 GMT
Source: Reuters

JAKARTA, Dec 24 (Reuters) - More than 17,000 police and soldiers have been deployed in the Indonesian capital to guard against a repeat of Christmas Eve attacks seven years ago, when Christian churches in the mainly Muslim nation were bombed.

There had been no intelligence reports of a possible attack by Islamic militants but police were taking no chances, Jakarta police spokesman Ketut Untung Yoga Ana said on Monday.

"We are anticipating any eventualities even though there are no indications of an attack," he said.

Police will check churchgoers' bags in some locations, another police officer said.

The coordinated bombings targeting churches on Christmas Eve in 2000 left 18 people dead nationwide.

The bombings and a series of other attacks that followed have been blamed on members of the Southeast Asian regional militant group Jemaah Islamiah.

Jakarta's police chief, Adang Firman, said extra security would be provided to bigger churches.

"The threat of terror is always present," he told Elshinta radio.

Volunteer groups, including members of Islamic mass organisations, will help police to ensure peaceful Christmas celebrations, said the Jakarta police spokesman.

The youth wing of the Nahdlatul Ulama, the largest Islamic organisation in the world's most populous Muslim country, is deploying 15,000 members nationwide to guard Churches and other venues used by Christians during Christmas.

"We do this every year. We live in a diverse nation and we respect differences," the youth wing's chairman, Syaifullah Yusuf, was quoted as saying on the group's Web site.

Around 10 percent of Indonesia's 220 million people are Christian. Muslims make up about 85 percent of the population and while the vast majority are moderates, there is an active militant minority.

Police have arrested hundreds of militants linked to JI since the 2002 Bali bombings in which more than 200 people were killed.

There has not been a major attack since three suicide bombers blew themselves up in Bali in October, 2005, killing at least 20 people. But police and some analysts say Indonesia still faces a considerab[b]le threat from Islamic militants.


Dasar Indon mala'un..menyebok negeri orang, negeri dia pun tak terurus..

[DrGieL3]

^^
Good opinion ... But, you must be understand that we live in a "small" world ... So, we have to accept different opinions or assessment (good or bad) from from our neighbor ....

Don't think and act like our UMNO government .... they don't want to receive any critics and continue to blame other third parties for all bad things in our country ...

[Majapahitans]

@ esfan

^^ Buruk rupa, cermin dibelah...

You can handle the fact and criticism I presume.
The fact is the fact no matter who told it.

Oh yeah, I didn't know that to enter certain country's chatroom, we must have some visa or passport....?!
NAAAAH....
You have absolutely no right to told people to buzz off and prohibit them to post their comments in this chatroom.
If your country is not a free country, well..., at least respect the freedom of expression in the net.

PS: Oh yeah Islamic terrorism you mentioned in that news above is one of Malaysian export to us, courtesy of Dr Azahari....
Menepuk air di dulang, terpercik muka sendiri

This post has been edited by Majapahitans: Dec 25 2007, 09:09 AM

[Crystallised Dre...]

I do agree with Esfandiari somehow concerning the influx of Indonesian posters posting negative news on our country. Sure there is no problem discussing each other's problems with the betterment of both parties in mind, but it seems that this 'influx' started to happen after the Rasa Sayange issue. Thus the intention of the Indonesian posters are questionable - do they post because they genuinely care or because they want to hit back at us? Are they, in the process of highlighting Malaysia's problems, trying to 'take a speck of dust out from a brother's eye while they themselves have a plank in their eyes'?

Sometimes I am sure some Malaysian forumers here are tempted to quote the Malay saying: Jaga tepi kain sendiri; take care of your own side of the cloth.

But of course, if there are Indonesian forumers who are eager to work together with us Malaysians for the benefit of the SEA region, we welcome them with open arms.

@ fadlee: Haha no, we Christians can say Allah a thousand times and it would mean nothing like the Allah of Islam. ; )

I do wonder sometimes why we non-Arabian Christians need to use Allah anyway; isn't 'Tuhan' enough? For those who do not have a stable foundation in their Christian knowledge they might end up thinking Islam and Christianity are the same, are one religion - which they aren't. All in all, no matter the intentions, I do think the usage of 'Allah' here is a delicate path to tread...

[Esfandiari]

@ esfan

^^ Buruk rupa, cermin dibelah...

You can handle the fact and criticism I presume.
The fact is the fact no matter who told it.

Oh yeah, I didn't know that to enter certain country's chatroom, we must have some visa or passport....?!
NAAAAH....
You have absolutely no right to told people to buzz off and prohibit them to post their comments in this chatroom.
If your country is not a free country, well..., at least respect the freedom of expression in the net.

PS: Oh yeah Islamic terrorism you mentioned in that news above is one of Malaysian export to us, courtesy of Dr Azahari....
Menepuk air di dulang, terpercik muka sendiri

Majapahitans,

Sure no problems... I can take criticisms... I hope you can too.

Typical of you Indonesians! When facts are stacked up against you, then the easiest way out is self denial! Blaming Malaysia is the trendiest way these days for most of you Indons! Unable to explain why your Christians need an army to protect their churches on Christmas day, then blame Malaysia for it! Start looking for loose straws and then you find Azhari! So, it's Malaysian Islamic terrorism that's bombing or threatening to bomb Christians trying to do their prayers in Indonesian churches ... according to you! What a pervert!! Why don't you go ask your Christians what's bugging them!! Come on Majapahitans! Get real!! You can't go on blaming others for the woes of your nation, that's not the sign of a great nation that you'd wish for your country!

Face it Majapahitans: It's your home-grown Muslim extremists that are threatening Christians, not Malaysians! Lashkar Jihad, Lashkar Jundullah, Front Pembela Islam .. to name a few... they are all home-grown Indonesian groups that speak with heavy Indon accent!! These are your groups that are terrorizing Christians, probably receiving their training in Garut, Wonosobo, Bekasi, Probolingo.. or wherever in Java or Indonesia...

Just google on these groups and you'll find plenty of information about them! Or do you wish me to do that for you??

No, you don't need a passport to enter Malaysia Chatroom .. but what is the purpose of you Indons to come to our room and make hostile and unfriendly comments about our laws? So, what is it to you if we don't allow Christians to use 'Allah'? Do we make noises when you law specifically imposes death penalty for Papuans flying their Morning Star? Do you gain more friends by inflaming Malaysians in their Room? What if I go to your Room and start supporting Gerakan Aceh Merdeka?

Go ahead! Attack our democracy all you want, I wont stop you.., yes, we are not as democratic as you. After Suharto, you are truly a democracy...

[hailer]

Dr Azahari is a Malaysian, but his guru is an Indonesian. He has been influenced with the ideology by Indonesian guru. He may be trapped and been used in this activities because he knows to make the bom from explosive substances. So an Indonesian has dragged a Malaysian to be involved such activity in Indonesia.

This post has been edited by hailer: Dec 25 2007, 11:37 AM

[hailer]

From what I have observed, they will find and quote any bad news from any sources. They are actually preferred and want to see Malaysia always in trouble. They were trying to picture that Malaysia is most problematic country than Indonesia. In my opinion they do this because of 2 reasons:

1. Jealousy
2. Worry

Definitely their answer is not jealousy. But they mostly worry of future Malaysia. They do not want to see the possible successful future Malaysia, because it is painful for them.

[DrGieL3]

From what I have observed, they will find and quote any bad news from any sources. They are actually preferred and want to see Malaysia always in trouble. They were trying to picture that Malaysia is most problematic country than Indonesia. In my opinion they do this because of 2 reasons:

1. Jealousy
2. Worry

Definitely their answer is not jealousy. But they mostly worry of future Malaysia. They do not want to see the possible successful future Malaysia, because it is painful for them.

Wake up ..... Don't to be a stupid .......
Please visit Malaysia Today and other independent medias/blogers in Malaysia, you can see that Malaysians did that news ....
Take a positive point, there are many many problems in Malaysia but our mainstream media did not want to publish the facts ...
Do you want to accept this ?

This post has been edited by DrGieL3: Dec 25 2007, 08:34 PM

[Bhaskara]

Ok then Esfan, if you want to ask a non-Muslim Indonesian about how they feel about Indonesian Muslims, you can ask me first Because I'm a proud Indonesian who have a lot of Muslim friends as well as Muslim relatives, how about you Esfan? How many Christian, Buddhist, Hindu relatives do you have? Sure we have racial problems before, and we have no intention to deny that. Both of our countries have our own share of race riots, but as Majjy has said before, with different outcome.

Indonesia take the riot as a sign, and we have abolished every discriminatory law. Now under the new order, every Indonesian citizen, regardless the race, are equals in the eyes of the law. While Malaysian deal with the riot with segregation, and as a result your country has never been racially-divided as it is now.

You think I've never been to Malaysia? I see everybody in your country grouped into their own race, going to exclusive schools according to their own race. While I've gone to both public and private schools in Indonesia, in and in both schools everybody from every race mingle with each other. Some of my closest friends are of different race and religion with me, and that's a fact.

And get this right: we actually have the choice to go schools where most of the students are of our own race and religion. But we chose not to attend that kind of school, and mingle with students with different religion and race with our own.

I think it's sad that you see our Muslim friends guarding our Churches as a sign of conflicts, because our Christian organizations do the same thing all the time. But I understand, it's very hard not to be negative when someone is so deprived of inter-religion and inter-race relationship like you

[diepolizei]

From what I have observed, they will find and quote any bad news from any sources. They are actually preferred and want to see Malaysia always in trouble. They were trying to picture that Malaysia is most problematic country than Indonesia. In my opinion they do this because of 2 reasons:

1. Jealousy
2. Worry

Definitely their answer is not jealousy. But they mostly worry of future Malaysia. They do not want to see the possible successful future Malaysia, because it is painful for them.

I think both countries compete to have the upper hand over another. There is one big brother tries to show that he is still strong and the younger brother tries to display his muscle with his new found confidence and wealth.

It is a competition to lead. If the competition goes wrong, ASEAN can close shop.