• Malaysian king backs court ban on non-Muslims using Allah
    24 replies, posted
[img]http://www.todayonline.com/sites/default/files/styles/photo_gallery_image/public/16629233.JPG?itok=J-wMRuYz[/img] [QUOTE]KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia’s king gave his backing today (Jan 19) to a court ruling barring non-Muslims from using the word Allah to refer to God, weighing in for the first time on an issue that has fanned religious tensions in the multi-cultural country. Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam, whose role as head of state is largely ceremonial, alluded to the issue which has raised questions over minority rights during his birthday speech to the Southeast Asian nation. A court in October ruled that the word was exclusive to majority Malay Muslims, overturning an earlier decision allowing a Catholic newspaper to use Allah in its Malay-language edition. The court ruling has since prompted Muslim leaders to call for demonstrations against Christians who do not comply. Christians make up about 9 per cent of Malaysia’s 29 million people. “In the context of a pluralistic society, religious sensitivities especially related to Islam as the religion of the federation should be respected,” Sultan Abdul Halim said in the speech released by state news agency Bernama. “Confusion and controversy can be averted if there is adherence to the provisions of the law and judicial decisions.” Police are currently investigating a Catholic priest under sedition laws for insisting the word can be used by non-Muslims in Malay, the country’s national language. Sultan Abdul Halim is one of the nine sultans who take turns every five years to serve as head of state. While the king has limited powers, he is regarded as a defender of the Islamic faith and is deeply respected by the Malay Muslims who make up 60 per cent of the population.[/QUOTE] [url]http://www.todayonline.com/world/asia/malaysian-king-backs-court-ban-non-muslims-using-allah[/url] I pity my non-muslim malaysian friends
[img]http://www.facepunch.com/fp/ratings/box.png[/img] Are you really so desperate for approval from the majority? Guess I'd better start calling Allah as You-Know-Who then!
[QUOTE=Zonesylvania;43593449][img]http://www.facepunch.com/fp/ratings/box.png[/img] Are you really so desperate for approval from the majority? Guess I'd better start calling Allah as You-Know-Who then![/QUOTE] Or He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named
This really makes no sense to me, Allah literally means "God" in arabic, why is there such a massive difference if it's said in another language?
Christians in Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Palestine, Egypt, etc etc all use Allah when referring to God. The Muslims have absolutely no problem with it. Why do the Malaysians think themselves special?
[QUOTE=ExplosiveCheese;43593476]This really makes no sense to me, Allah literally means "God" in arabic, why is there such a massive difference if it's said in another language?[/QUOTE] Honestly the only thing I can boil it down to is Pride and Ignorance at a cultural level. A shame that this is happening but I feel that in time this will go away... 15 years I'm guessing from the state of the country and the region itself.
Good thing I'm pretty sure none of us are in Malaysia [editline]19th January 2014[/editline] Good thing I actually never even use the word "Allah", either?
[QUOTE=agentalexandre;43593594]Christians in Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Palestine, Egypt, etc etc all use Allah when referring to God. The Muslims have absolutely no problem with it. Why do the Malaysians think themselves special?[/QUOTE] Because the Gov there feel that the malays are more superior. Its true. Even one state has made the weekends Friday Saturday so that the Muslims can take time off for prayers. What about the Christians? They couldn't give a fuck.
oh god i did it bitch broke my automerge
[QUOTE=shian;43593644]Because the Gov there feel that the malays are more superior. Its true. Even one state has made the weekends Friday Saturday so that the Muslims can take time off for prayers. What about the Christians? They couldn't give a fuck.[/QUOTE] When you ask them why they're superior, they glare at you and say 'because we are!'
[QUOTE=Kylel999;43593636]Good thing I'm pretty sure none of us are in Malaysia [editline]19th January 2014[/editline] Good thing I actually never even use the word "Allah", either?[/QUOTE] The only reason why I would use the word "Allah" would be simply out of respect for the culture/religion. Same thing if, say, a Jew used the word Yahweh or Elohim. The meaning of the name is still retained no matter which language it is spoken in.
Its's basically like they want Allah to be the Islamic gods name instead of of just the arabic word for god.
[QUOTE=DaysBefore;43593462]Or He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named[/QUOTE]how about The-Thing-That-Should-Not-Be religion just became a lot more lovecraftian
[quote]The court ruling has since prompted Muslim leaders to call for demonstrations against Christians who do not comply[/quote] I think we can all guess where that will go.
Allah is a big boy now, he doesn't need to be protected by mere words.
lol i swapped threads Anyway yeah this issue is probably upsetting some people, but maybe it's not
Whatever I bet he prefers to be called Elohim or something anyway
No worries, simply change the word to "Alla" and nobody will be any the wiser.
[QUOTE=Cockslap;43599113] Anyway yeah this issue is probably upsetting some people, but maybe it's not[/QUOTE] This is the most neutral statement I have ever heard you could put this in literally any SH article and be 100% correct.
He can kiss my goddamn buttocks. They're creating civil unrest here and stupidly going 'Gee, I wonder why the people are so mad'.
[QUOTE=Kylel999;43593636]Good thing I'm pretty sure none of us are in Malaysia [editline]19th January 2014[/editline] Good thing I actually never even use the word "Allah", either?[/QUOTE] I am. Newest fucked up news here is that the government just banned a group of Human Rights NGOs that were fighting for LGBT rights,rights for Muslims to change religions and various other human rights abuse after sending a Periodic review to the UN earlier than they should
[QUOTE=agentalexandre;43593594]Christians in Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Palestine, Egypt, etc etc all use Allah when referring to God. The Muslims have absolutely no problem with it. Why do the Malaysians think themselves special?[/QUOTE] The way I understand it, it's a language issue. Those countries use arabic and in arabic God = Allah. But outside of Arabic Allah itself is a term used to denote the Islamic god as opposed to the generic term god. It's basically the same as using Jahwe in languages which don't have Jahwe = term for god. They basically want nonmuslim to use the malay generic term for god as opposed to Allah.
[QUOTE=ExplosiveCheese;43593476]This really makes no sense to me, Allah literally means "God" in arabic, why is there such a massive difference if it's said in another language?[/QUOTE] They are trying to define "Allah" (Muslim god) as a seperate entity to god (Christian, hindu, buddist etc. This is only going to incite further exclusion amongst Islam towards other religions.
Well shit, then let's pass a law making it illegal for Muslims to use the word 'God', as only English-speaking Christians and Jews should be allowed to use it. /rolleyes This rates right up there with condemning swear words in my book. While they can be offensive, as a general rule they are merely words. As is 'Allah' or any other holy word. No one comes down from the heavens to spite anyone for speaking any word in any World Language. Especially not an 'divine omnipotent being' like Allah/God. You'd think he'd/she'd/it'd be past petty words. Afterall, words are cheap. A man may damn the Lord, but he could be the nicest personwho helps all that ask of him. Conversely, a regular church-goer may never 'use the Lords name in vain', but it doesn't make them a perfect or even ideal Christian/Religious folk. It just makes no sense, and seems more of a personal stigma than it is a real problem. Someone above mentioned it likely coming from Pride and Ignorance. I'm likely to agree.
Forum posters are now required to be certified muslims™ if they want to use 'Allah' in their posts.
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