Why should you
care about the "Allah" ban, especially
if you are not a Christian or Sikh?
After all, it won't affect your lives right? Well, you
might want to think twice. If you are still
unaware of the issue, please take some time to read this as it will affect how
we move forward as a country in the history of Malaysia.
WHO USES "ALLAH"?
According to
historical manuscripts, Arabic-speaking Muslims, Christians and Jews have collectively used “Allah” referring to God for more than 1,400 years. In Malaysia,
the Sikh and East Malaysian Bumiputra and Orang Asli Christians (who constitute
60% of the church in Malaysia today, and mostly
Bahasa Malaysia-speaking), have been using the word “Allah” both before and
after the independence of Malaya and the formation of Malaysia. The use of the
word “Allah” by the people of other faiths had not been an issue in Malaysia
all these years.
HOW IT ALL
BEGAN?
In 2007, the
Home Ministry banned the use of "Allah" in the Malay section of The Herald, a
weekly publication of the Catholic Church, arguing that it could confuse and
cause offence among the Muslims in Malaysia, subsequently
threatening national security. The Catholic Church challenged the
order. In 2009, the Kuala Lumpur High Court
ruled that the word “Allah” was not exclusive to Muslims only and that all Malaysians had the right to use the word under
the Constitution which guarantees freedom of expression and religion.
The government then filed an appeal and
recently, the 3-member bench Court of Appeal unanimously decided
to overturn the KL High Court decision. It pronounced
the use of "Allah" in The Herald unlawful and
unconstitutional. The Catholic Church will now go to the Federal Court, Malaysia’s highest court, to challenge the judgment of Court of Appeal.
THREE SIMPLE
REASONS
There are many
good pieces written by different groups on why the
Court of Appeal judgment is flawed (listed at
the end). Before you read the 'heavy stuff' with
more detailed explanations, here are 3 simple reasons why I say NO to the "Allah" ban: -
1.
Fundamental Human Rights for all Malaysians
It is
simply unreasonable for any Malaysian to be denied
their fundamental freedom to express their
religious beliefs on the basis that it might
cause confusion to some people. Isn't it better to educate the easily confused, instead of restricting the rights of
others? As a matter of fact, before the
"Allah" ban in Malaysia, Muslims around
the world have not been confused sharing the word "Allah" with
the Jews and Christians for more than one thousand years.
2. It Is
Simply Not Practical
Even if the ban
is constitutionally and morally legitimate, the enforcement of the ban is
simply not practical.
Is the "Allah" ban only for The Herald? If yes, then the ban will not serve its purpose of avoiding confusion because other non-Muslim materials apart from The Herald can still use the term "Allah”. What's the point of imposing a ban which cannot serve its purpose?
Is the "Allah" ban only for The Herald? If yes, then the ban will not serve its purpose of avoiding confusion because other non-Muslim materials apart from The Herald can still use the term "Allah”. What's the point of imposing a ban which cannot serve its purpose?
Or does the ban apply to all materials of other faiths?
If yes, what about a foreigner who comes to
Malaysia with non-Islam materials containing
the term "Allah"? Do we confiscate the materials in the
airport? If yes, then our Customs will have trouble scanning all materials for
the term "Allah" as there is no such scanning equipment available.
And do we charge the foreigner in court for "smuggling" non-Islam materials with the
term "Allah"?
As I am writing this, the government
announced that the "Allah" ban will not affect the Christians in Sabah
and Sarawak (knowing their fixed deposit is seriously at stake). That further
complicates the practicality of the ban. Does
the ban apply only in West Malaysia? What about the Christians from Sabah and
Sarawak who reside in West Malaysia? How then can the enforcement unit decide
on who and where "Allah" can or cannot be used?
I shall not
elaborate further. In short, this "Allah"
ban is simply not practical.
3. For the
Future of Malaysia
Most importantly, the "Allah"
ban will seriously hurt the unity of this already divided and segmented
nation.
How do we build an inclusive society when a certain segment can claim the exclusive right to use certain term?
Imagine how we are going to tell our little children that only in Malaysia, "Allah" is exclusive for the Muslims and at the same time, convince them that Malaysia is a united country. You may think this situation is still bearable and hence can't be bother. Nevertheless, remember the story of the frog-in-the-boiling water?
How do we build an inclusive society when a certain segment can claim the exclusive right to use certain term?
Imagine how we are going to tell our little children that only in Malaysia, "Allah" is exclusive for the Muslims and at the same time, convince them that Malaysia is a united country. You may think this situation is still bearable and hence can't be bother. Nevertheless, remember the story of the frog-in-the-boiling water?
It is the little by little encroachment of human rights by the government and the little by little compromise by the society that we may end up an oppressive and divided nation in the future.
How we, as a society, collectively react to the "Allah" ban will shape the future of this nation. Therefore,
speaking against it now is crucial if we are serious about building a united
Malaysia where freedom is enjoyed by all Malaysians regardless of race, religion, culture, language and
geography.
LAST WORDS
We, the wakil rakyats, are elected to be the voice of conscience for all Malaysians.
Just a month
ago, I spoke up against workplace discrimination of women in tudung based on the principle of human
rights and the right of Muslim women to be free from any forms of
discrimination (link). By the same token, I wish to speak against
the Court of Appeal ruling over the ban of using the word "Allah".
I know many
UMNO cyber-troopers who conveniently label me as a Christian evangelical
politician will now use this political stand as their weapon of attack. However it is my duty as an elected representative to make a political
stand without fear or intimidation based on the principle of human rights and in consideration for the future of this nation.
Therefore, I say NO to the "Allah"
ban.
-----------------------
Further readings:-
1. Media Statement by the Bar Council on Court of Appeal Judgement on "Allah" Issue
2. In the Name of Allah, The Economist
3. No One Has Monopoly Claim to God, The Jakarta Post
4. Would Malaysia be formed if Court of Appeal Allah Judgement was the Law of the Land, by Lim Kit Siang
