The courts were wrong

Dec 18, 2014

Dear Editor,

Muslims and Christians believe that there is One God. Muslims call this one God, ‘Allah’. Many Christians too use the term ‘Allah’ to refer to God.

In Malaysia there is a controversy around the use of ‘Allah’ in Christian worship.

The courts banned the use of the word ‘Allah’ in Christian liturgy. Should ‘Allah’ be made exclusive to a specific faith?

The verdict by the Malaysian court was totally wrong. The word ‘Allah’ is not the monopoly of Muslims. Everyone can use this word, according to their convenience.

The Quran itself tells us that before the advent of Islam, the idolaters of Arabia used the word ‘Allah’. A verse in the Quran says: “If you ask them (idolaters) who it is that has created the heavens and the earth and subjugated the sun and the moon, they will certainly say, ‘Allah.’” (29:61)

Maulana Wahidduing Khan
India