"Allah" On 31 December 2009, the High Court declared that the Home Minster's order to ban the use of 'Allah' by Herald was "illegal, null and void" (Star Online).  Although the reactions of the Federal Government and certain groups are expected, many can't help but are disappointed with the remarks made by some ministers and politicians. Instead of defusing uneasiness, some of the statements were deemed provocative, unwittingly or knowingly made to create needless tensions.   The Home Ministry had banned Herald from using 'Allah' on grounds that it threatened national security and confused the Muslim population. The Christian community was perplexed because the word had been used for decades without any problem. The majority of the rakyat were not confused nor was the nation ever been threatened. The reasons given by the Home Ministry greatly undermined the intellectual ability of the rakyat who, today, are much more well-informed and open-minded. Many are also baffled to hear the persistent put-down of one's own community saying that they are weaklings, sensitive and easily hurt.  "I don't understand what is so edifying about claiming that we always weak and easily confused. How do we on the one hand claim a superior position for our faith when at the same time we admit that we can be so easily influenced?" writes Marina Mahathir ("Mysterious people in need of rules," The Star, 6/1/10, pN43) The Home Ministry has filed an application to stay the execution of the High Court ruling (Star, 5/6/10). On 7, the Catholic Church agreed to the stay of execution. "As Christians we are taught to love and not hate people. We have no ill-will and we sincerely hope it will simmer down the anger, protests and demonstrations against the Catholic Church," said Father Lawrence Andrew, the Herald editor (The Star, pN2).

Reactions from the ministers, politicians and some NGOs, e.g. Pasir Salak MP Datuk Tajuddin Abdul Rahman said that the court's decision would only ignite racial and religious tension (Umno man says ‘Allah’ judgment will stir racial tension ). Minister of Family, Women and Community development Shahrizat Abdul Jaili was concerned that "the issue can explode if not handled wisely and with utmost care" (http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/120974). Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo mourned over the decision and said that other religions should not be allowed to even mention the name 'Allah' as it would cause "damage, chaos and confusion" among Muslims and non-Muslims alike. He questioned the impartiality of the judge who is a non-Muslim ( http://themalaysianinsider.com/index.php/malaysia/48263-khir-toyo-says-in-mourning-over-allah-ruling). Dr Mahathir Mohamad said, "What I am afraid of is that the term 'Allah' might be used in such a way that could inflame the anger of Muslims, if they were to use it on banners or write something that might not reflect Islam" (http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/120993). Dr Mahathir opined that law could not solve the problem. "The law does not take into account whether a particular issue is sensitve or otherwise and whether it has the potential to spark off tension or animosity between the believers of different faiths" (http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/121143) Perak state mufti Harussani Zakaria called it "an insult to Muslims in this country" (http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/120985). While calling the people to calm down and leave the matter to the courts, Prime Minister said, "the issue is very sensitive and touches on the feelings of the Muslims" (http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/1/4/nation/5406668&sec=nation) The Home Ministry has decided to appeal against the High Court's decision. "The ministry will study all feedback before deciding whether to review the existing legal provisions and clauses in the Federal Constitution, so that the rights and privileges accorded to Islam are not challenged anymore," said Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein (http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/1/4/nation/5407015&sec=nation). Penang UMNO urged the Malay rulers to hold a special conference to resolve the issue (http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/articles/3hna/Article/index_html).  Defense Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the decision had offended the Muslims, for 'Allah' might be used by other religions for their own agenda to confuse the Muslims (http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/121028) Minister in the Prime Minister's Dept Datuk Seri Nazri Abdul Aziz said, "The judge erred. She got it all wrong. She decided on the fact if the word 'Allah' could be used or not. That is not the issue. The issue is whether the minister has the power to make such decisions because the consideration is towards public interest" (http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/1/6/nation/5419866&sec=nation)  PAS deputy president Nasharudin Mat Isa told Utusan Malaysia that "the court decision is not only against the Constitution but it also goes against our faith, and this cannot be accepted" ( http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/index.php/malaysia/48394-pm-calls-for-calm-as-debate-rages-on-) Jakim director-general Datuk Wan Mohamad Sheikh Abdul Aziz told the KL Roman Catholic Archbishop not to use the term 'Allah' while Government appealed the High Court's decision. "The sensitivities and dignity of Muslims under the Federal Constitution must be taken into consideration" (http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/1/5/nation/5412738&sec=nation)  At a protest, Datuk Dr Ma'amor Osman from Muslim Consumers Association of Malaysia said, "The issue is very sensitive, especially for Muslims in the country and has to be dealt with in a proper manner to avoid unnecessary racial tension" (http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/articles/3ang/Article/index_html) Badan Anti Inter-faith Council (Badai) called on the Conference of Rulers to intervene (http://sun2surf.com/article.cfm?id=41878) Jamaah Islah Malaysia (JIM) supported Government's effort to file an appeal against the decision.

Some sensible responses, e.g. Kuala Selangor MP Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad (PAS) saw the court decision as "an opportunity to bring all of us closer together despite our religious differences..." (http://themalaysianinsider.com/index.php/malaysia/48263-khir-toyo-says-in-mourning-over-allah-ruling).  "Minister of Information Communication and Culture Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim said overzealous views and opinions expressed by various bodies and people can be detrimental to the harmony of the country," reported Malaysian Insider (http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/index.php/malaysia/48298-rais-on-allah-ruling-allow-legal-process-to-complete).  Former National Fatwa Council chairman Datuk Dr Ismail Ibrahim said, "Muslims cannot shared the same concept of 'Allah' with the non-Muslims, including Christian followers who believe in the trinity concept, because Muslims believe Isa or Jesus is not Allah's son." However he said Muslims must accept with an open heart whatever decisions made by the court, and that Muslims "should strengthen their faith and knowledge so that they are not easily affected by any interpretation or challenges that may come from time to time (http://sun2surf.com/article.cfm?id=41906) Former Perlis Mufti Dr Mohd Asri opined that non-Muslims should be allowed to call Allah in their prayers if they admit to Him as the true God. "Although Muslim may questions that the non-Muslims are associating other beings with Allah, the right to practice religion is the right of all religions" (http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/1/5/nation/20100105131805&sec=nation)  In a statement, PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Awang says that the use of 'Allah' is permitted among people of Abrahamic faiths such as Christianity and Judaism. But "the wrongful and irresponsible use of the word should be avoided so that it did not create an issue that jeopardises the racial and religious harmony of this country" ( http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/1/5/nation/20100105122539&sec=nation) MCA called upon all groups to respect constitutional rights of the bumiputra Christians and Sikh Malaysians. "Does it make sense to take punitive action against the hundreds and thousands of Bahasa Malaysia speaking Christians and Sikhs, who for centuries have referred to God as 'Allah' in their personal prayers?"(http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/1/5/nation/5412737&sec=nation)

Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need (Hebrews 4:16) Psalm 9:1-10; Matt 5:44; Mk 11:25

For your reading:

http://www.krisispraxis.com/archives/2010/01/allah-and-tuhan-in-bible-translation/

 

Why It is Not Possible to Substitute Allah with Tuhan in Bible Translation by Dr Ng Kam Weng

Muslims in other parts of the world (Arabs, Persians, North Africans, Pakistanis and Indonesians) have no objection and are not worried about getting confused when Christians use the word Allah. In contrast, some Malaysian Muslims claim to be confused; a strange phenomenon indeed.  This observation lends credence to the suggestion that the Allah issue is an artificial Malay issue and not a genuine Muslim issue. The truth is that the current orchestrated protests against the recent High Court decision to allow the Catholic Herald (and Christians) to use the word Allah must be seen as cynical manipulations by Malay politicians to gain votes from their community.

I am more interested in going beyond these political maneuvers. Politicians (including government bureaucrats) are happy just to stay at the level of vague suggestions since they have no competence nor care to address real issues of translation. In contrast, Christians must ensure their arguments for the right to use the word Allah are based on concrete evidence supported by a coherent linguistic philosophy of translation of Scripture.

One major demand from the Malay protestors is that Christians stop using the word Allah on grounds that Christians can find a simple alternative, that is, simply substitute the word Allah with the word Tuhan. Unfortunately, this demand only betrays the ignorance of the protestors. I would have thought that any Malay would know that the meanings of the words Allah (God) and Tuhan (Lord, Rabb) are not the same. How can they suggest that Christians simply use the word Tuhan to substitute the word Allah? To express the issue linguistically, Allah and Tuhan have different senses even though they have the same reference.

Both the terms Allah and Tuhan are used in the Malay Bible. Following the precedent set by Arab Christians, Allah is used to translate el/elohim and Tuhan(or TUHAN in caps) is used to translate Yahweh (YHWH). The two words are sometimes paired together as Yahweh-Elohim in 372 places in the Old Testament (14 times in Genesis 2-3; 4 times in Exodus;8 times in Joshua; 7 times in 2 Samuel; 22 times in Chronicles; 12 times in Psalms; 32 times in Isaiah; 16 times in Jeremiah and 210 times in Ezekiel etc.).

More importantly, the word Tuhan is also applied to Jesus Christ in the New Testament. Thus we read of the LORD Jesus as Tuhan Yesus (The word LORD was used to translate the word kurios 8400 times in the Septuagint, the Greek version of the Old Testament. It refers to human beings only 400 times and refers to God 8000 times. Of these 8000 times, 6700 are substitutes for the word YHWH). The transference of the title kurios LORD/YHWH to Jesus Christ is testimony to the belief in the deity of Christ right at the beginning of Christianity.

This simple statistical survey shows clearly that the demand by Muslim demonstrators that Christians simply substitute the word Allah with Tuhan is unreasonable since it renders many Biblical references to God and Jesus Christ incoherent. First, the substitution is incorrect since the meaning of Allah and Tuhan are different. Second, it creates an absurd situation when Christians try to translate the paired words Tuhan Allah (LORD God). Are Christians now required to call the LORD God, Tuhan Tuhan? This sounds like committing linguistic redundancy. Worse still, the repeated words Tuhan Tuhan come across to Malay readers as suggesting that Christians believe in a plurality of Lords/Gods (since the plural form in Malay is expressed by repeating the noun and setting them in apposition). Finally, Christians are unable to express the Lordship of Jesus Christ as one who is distinct from the Father and yet shares with the God of the Old Testament, the name that is above every other name – kurios /Tuhan (Philippians 2:9, cf. Isaiah 45:23). In other words, Christians are rendered unable to affirm the deity of Jesus Christ and teach the doctrine of Trinity without the foundational words that maintain the semantic relationship between the words Allah and Tuhan as they are applied distinctively in the Malay Bible.

Christians in Malaysia would do their utmost to maintain religious harmony in Malaysia. Indeed, the Christian community has made many concessions to accommodate the concerns of the Malay community. However, it cannot accept the demand that it abandons the use of the word Allah and adopts the word Tuhan as a substitute simply because some ill-informed Malays take offence at their practice –  an offence which would not have arisen if only these people set aside emotions and prejudices and examine the historical and linguistic evidence in a calm and rational manner. At the very least, Malays (or rather Muslims) should understand that believers are not at liberty to change the meaning of their Scriptures, the Word of God, to satisfy the unfounded scruples of man.