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A Hispanist, like myself, would perhaps remind the Moamin (believers, Muslims) of the fact that the word 'Allah' stems from the Aramaic 'Elah' and the ancient Hebrew 'Eloah' which both mean 'the (true) God.' In the tolerant and humane society of the Khalîfat of Cordoba, (Omayyad-Arabic Spain, the 'Ornament of the World'),governed by Muslims acc. to the Prophet Muhammad's revolutionary Constitution of Medina (622) which defined the rights and obligations of followers of all monotheistic religions, the terms 'Allah' and 'Eloah' merged. This facilitated the contacts between Muslims, Christians and Jews, the latter barred from pronouncing the name of YHVH ('I am'). The 'Eloah Compromise' helped the Umma (community) and Sura (counsel of government) to make Spain the greatest intellectual, scientific, financial and economic power in Europe at the time, which attracted Christians from as far as Germany to come and study medicine and philosophy or analyse the fabulous educational system (e.g. King Otto I's envoy Johann von Gorssen). Maybe the Moamin should take a step back, let the others breathe and emulate Islamic rulers who commanded respect from the entire world, more than 1000 years ago. There are moments I fear that the Prophet Muhammad wrote his Constitution in vain. Geert Kliphuis, Brussels

TO Catholic Observer: In regard's to your comment's that Arab christians using the term "Allah" even before the Arab muslims did,It can be agreed to certain point.As there was nothing similar between the coptic christanity between the catholic christians.For goodness sake,They don't even celebrate chrismas on the 25th of DEC has like the rest of the christian denomination's.They celebrate chrismas on the 7th of January,(according to them christ was born in this day).It is also noted that Fourth crusade was fought between eastern orthodox and roman catholic's,which in it many of the eastern orthodox was masscared.They have their own pope and bishop,the unique thing is all of them must be married.Quote a christian denomination like the coptic christains (arabs),who don't even share a common chrismas holiday with the rest of the main stream christain population is not a good example

Ladies and gentlemen..My brothers and sisters of different religions....Does it really matter's,what name you choose to call "God"? Do you think the god almighty would insist to call him "Allah"? He has several names,all of them,are just a reflection of his essense.Three years the money spend on the lawsuit!...How many fruitfull thing's it could had been used for? There are significant portion of indigenous population in east malaysia of christian faith,who lack's basic essential's of life like a good education,finacial means to eradicate poverty.You can use the resource's to even built a small chaple for them.The same thing can be said for the muslim's,they can built a least small surau (mosque) for the muslims,maybe provide micro-credit scheme's to help those in poverty...........End of the day,we should not let some indiviual's of both faith,who are keen on spreading hate than to find solution's for the day to day problem's faced by the common man..be it muslims and christians

Congratualations!,to all who have pursued with zeal and insist that the name Of "Allah" to be used.Maybe it was meant to be,as they say "god...let's put it allah work's in mysterious ways".There is also need to bring in measure's to safeguard to create unnessary friction between religious group's.For example,The christian bible could specifically quote that this content is specifically for christians,Apart from this,I don't have any problem with the christians using the word "Allah".We should deny any person of any faith from freely practicing his or her religion...Beside's there are much more pressing issuse's to focus on..like rasing inflation rates...The price of vegtable's have already hit the roof,In some case's nearly 200% increase...I urge muslim's not to waste time on this issuse,focus on core issuse of bread and butter issue's of this nation

Its really sadden me to see the issue of Allah being taken to human court. Allh is the heavenly almighty judge and yet instead of showing utmost respect, we made a mockery out of his Name by taking Him to court. The malay muslim leaders with the excuse of protecting Allah. Allah need protection or they are just protecting their own political popularity? And this catholic leaders with the excuse of religious right and freedom? And who is the judge for the suits? Another God? No, the judge is another human being too. What is happening to Malaysia and the Malaysians leaders, be it political leaders or religious leaders, Please, all of you can play your human games but dont mess around and get the Allmighty involve in ur tussle over this worldly gain. Both the Malay-Muslim leaders and the Catholic leaders are sick, sick beyond healing. Do you ever imagine that such a thing can happen in a supposedly well-mannered malaysia? Allah being judge in court? Do you people realy care to imagine the situation, God being taken to court for who have the right to use his name? Are you going to call Him to the witness stand and testifies who have the right and who doesnt? Stop this crap, for the sake of the sincere believers of both Islam and Christianity. Don't drag us along in this game

Catholics is most noxious of the Christians brand of religion. this is proven with their provocation of calling the Father of Jesus Allah in Malaysia. They want to promote Catholics in Sabah and Sarawak so that there will Christian Islam war like in Phillipines among the native tribes. The vatican has been happy with the continuous war in the Phillipines and hope they can destablise Malaysia a modern islamic country too

Firstly the Senior Federal counsel for the government ministry said the ban neccessary to avoid ocnfusion? Please...Christians have been using the word Allah some 400 years ago in Malaya/Malaysia and even till todate did you see anyone or any Muslim confused??? Please the word is Arabic and is used by Arabic Christians before Islam came into existance. The fact is that no government nor earthly authorities could copyright any word that are used in this world. What more holy words.Everyone has a fundamental right to use any word or any language or practise any culture. Just like Bahasa Malaysia has been 'taking' many English words into BM. Do you see the English people or England or whoever taking action to banned BM or Malaysia from 'using/ taking/stealing' their words or vocabulary? No.The government and ministry should just allow the matter to rest and accept the High Court verdict. I don't see any Muslims getting violent or burning buildings or churches just because the High Court has declared Christians could use the world Allah? No one is confused in the past, now or will be in future.Only fanatics will go round burning properties. God do not condone such behaviour. The fact is that Allah is not the property of the Malaysian Government nor anyone. It is a word that can be use by anyone, just like the word God can be use by all. Even Muslims have used the word God when talking or in their writings in English, especially in USA. Do they see the Christians getting confused? NO! God is great and so the Lord's name will prevail in the world!Alleluia! By the way, the number of Catholics including the migrant workers is estimated 1,000,000 in Malaysia. The numbers of Christians or those prefessing this religion (including Catholics) is 2.5 million in Malaysia. Herald should increase the numbers of pages in Bahasa Malaysia to 8 again and to deferred the rising costs of printing, please get corporate Christians companies to sponsor- on yearly basis. Let give the BM speaking Catholics a break. They are our Brothers and Sisters in Christ!

ALLELUIA !!! PRAISE BE ALLAH !!! FINALLY JUSTICE HAS PREVAILS OVER THE MOST UNFOUNDED & UNCONSTIUTIONAL CLAIMS BY CERTAIN CITIZEN (S) WHO KNEW LITTLE ABOUT THE TRUE KINGDOM OF ALLAH GOD !!!