'Can the Pakatan politicians n media stop trying to relate the Herald 'Allah' COA judgement with the Alkitab used by Bumis in Sarawak n Sabah?'
Me
To my Malaysian brethren, please, please do not listen to the Pakatan of DAP, PKR and PAS, they are only out to exploit and sow hate among Malaysians on the Herald 'ALLAH' issue, there is nothing to be gained by listening to these people but hate and distrust.
Listen carefully friends, The Court of Appeal judgement only disallow the usage of the word 'ALLAH' in the Malay section of the Herald publication. Read:
OCTOBER 17, 2013
It has come to the attention of Muslim Lawyers’ Association Of Malaysia (PPMM) that there has been some misconception and/or misunderstanding as to the actual decision delivered by the Court of Appeal on the Allah matter.
The subject matter before the Court of Appeal was pertaining to the legality of the condition imposed by the minister prohibiting the use of the word Allah in the specific publication of Herald – The Catholic Weekly.
This matter came before the Court on the application of Titular Roman Catholic Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur by way of judicial review, which is a specie of actions to be brought before court in challenging the legality of ministerial and/ or administrative decisions.
It was the Archbishop who complained in that application to the then High Court that the Minister was wrong in imposing the said condition which amongst others infringed the Archbishop’s purported guaranteed rights under Article 3(1) of the Federal Constitution, and that the minister’s reliance amongst others on the existence of the anti propagation laws under article 11(4) of the Federal Constitution would also be furthering that infringement.
In the light of that background, the Court of Appeal in determining whether the High Court was correct or otherwise in its decision, was duty bound to examine the complaint of the Archbishop under Article 3(1) and 11(4) of the Federal Constitution.
Hence, a careful reading of all the three judgments of the Court of Appeal will show that the Court had ventilated, studied and considered the application of all the relevant provisions of the Federal Constitution as well as the related provisions of all the necessary statutes in coming up with the decision to answer the complaint of the Archbishop in his application for judicial review of the Minister’s conditions imposed.
It is very clear from the decision of the Court of Appeal, that what it decided was specifically with regards to the legality of the imposition of the condition by the minister in which the unanimous decision is “that the minister has not acted in any manner or way that merit judicial interference on his impugned decision”, which simply means that the Archbishop was prohibited from using the word Allah in the Herald.
Therefore, PPMM would wish to stress that as far as the Court of Appeal’s decision is concerned, PPMM is of the view that the decision goes as far as prohibiting the Archbishop from using the word Allah in the Herald, and nothing beyond that.
It would be a misconception on the part of any sections of the public, locally and/or internationally to deem that the decision of the Court of Appeal has in any way put out a blanket prohibition on any section of the non-Muslim community of Malaysia from using the word Allah.
However, a careful reading of the said judgments will also show that all members of the Malaysian community were allowed to use the word Allah in the sense of the Quranic/ Islamic reference to God, which is as pronounced in Surah Al Ikhlas, (“Purity”) (Chapter 112) as follows: “Say: He is Allah, The One and Only; Allah, the Eternal, Absolute; He begetteth not, nor is He begotten; And there is none Like unto Him.”.
In conclusion, PPMM would humbly call for all sections of the public to read and understand the judgments of the Court of Appeal in the sense in which it was given, and also not to make unnecessary and unwarranted remarks which may lead to confusion and/or bordering contempt. – October 17, 2013.
* Dato’ Zainul Rijal Abu Bakar is the president of the Muslim Lawyers’ Association Of Malaysia.
Read this also from the NST:
By Sugiman Sabri, Alor Star, Kedah
THE Court of Appeal ruling to deny Catholic publication Herald the use of the word "Allah" should put the issue to rest.
The justification was clear and, more importantly, did not apply any injustice to Christianity or Islam.
All parties should accept the ruling and not fuel the controversy further.
Despite the academic arguments voiced, be they by laymen, religious scholars, opinion leaders or academicians, what we should remember is that Malaysia is a multiracial and multi-religious country where the rights of all religions are respected.
We have come to be the peaceful nation that we are today not because we have indulged in controversial debates, but because we cherish tolerance and mutual respect we have for one another.
Leaders of communities and religious organisations must be wise enough to know when some issues should be put to rest rather than continue at the expense of creating animosity and tension in society.
The Roman Catholic Church's decision (NST, Oct 15) that it would file an appeal may not be a step in the right direction.
Christians and Muslims are not taught by their religion to disrespect other religions. Granted, in the global and academic context one can argue from many perspectives and historical facts to justify the use of the word "Allah", but when addressing issues affecting the society that one is in, one must not separate oneself from the real context of the society itself.
Insisting on addressing issues from only one's own context could be construed as selfish and disrespectful.
The judges noted in their ruling how volatile religious sensitivities in Malaysia were.
They elaborated that their decision did not render injustice to the claimant's grievances while at the same time, will avoid stoking the sensitivities of Muslims.
All religions in Malaysia have always held to the common sense principle of respecting each other's religious sensitivities, so much so that we have communal gatherings such as open houses and kongsi holidays.
It is an integral part of our multi-religious society to see churches, mosques and temples co-exist in cities, towns and even villages.
Therefore, is it worth to uphold an academic argument at the expense of destroying such harmonious diversity that we have practised?
All religions in this country have to sacrifice to accommodate countrymen from different religions at some point or the other, and we have done so amicably for the last 56 years.
I am confident that Malaysians from any religious background do not wish to create tension or be disrespectful to their fellow Malaysians.
Let us practise restraint out of respect to our fellow Malaysians regardless of their religious background.
What is the point of having the freedom to practise our religions when what we struggle for is to create animosity in other religions?
Lets move on already!
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