Opposing sides look to future as ‘Allah’ tussle draws to a close

After six years of strained relations over the use of the word ‘Allah’, groups representing Malaysia’s Christian and Muslim communities say it may be time to look beyond the divisive issue.

Jun 27, 2014

PUTRAJAYA: After six years of strained relations over the use of the word ‘Allah’, groups representing Malaysia’s Christian and Muslim communities say it may be time to look beyond the divisive issue.

Fr Lawrence Andrew SJ, the editor of the Herald Catholic Weekly, the paper at the centre of the tussle said he is “very disappointed” by Federal Court’s decision today (June 23) which effectively bans the paper from using the word ‘Allah’ to refer to God.

But he took solace in the belief that love and respect will overcome the discontent that has simmered over the course of the controversial legal battle.

“As we live we will always honour our God, always respect one another... we will always give hope to people to live as brothers and sisters,” he said outside the courtroom after the judgement was delivered.

Earlier today, the Federal Court decided by a 4-to-3 majority that it will not hear an appeal against a lower court decision banning the Christian paper from using the word.

Datuk Ibrahim Ali, the chief of Malay rights group Perkasa who had once called for bibles containing the word Allah to be burned, struck a conciliatory tone.

“Everybody should love each other, respect the Christian community, they respect us, whatever they believe we respect and whatever we believe they respect,” he told reporters after the court decision was announced.

Justifying the sometimes disruptive conduct of Perkasa members during rallies outside the Palace of Justice, denied that there was any motive for the group’s mass protests other than to “defend their faith”.

He stressed that it was required of a “true Muslim” to defend the sanctity of the name Allah.

“This issue of defending kalimah Allah, is not because we want to be enemies with anyone, what more the Christians. It is an issue of our faith, it is a religious obligation.

“With today’s decision, we consider the case to be over. It is best to close this case so we can go on with our lives, move forward and bring relations between Muslims and Christians to harmony as usual,” he said.

Lawrence maintained the Catholic Church’s position that the earlier decision by the Court of Appeal had “affected the very dignity” of Christians in the country, but also stressed that the common belief in one God is what will bring the two communities together.

God’s love will help rekindle the bonds of peaceful coexistence between the two religions, he said.

“Let us live in peace, let us overcome this situation and look towards peace, how we can live in peace and harmony with each other,” he said.

Counsel for the Catholic Church, S. Selvarajah said they may want to look into the possibility of a review of today’s ruling.

He said a provision under Rule 137 of the Federal Court Rules 1995 may allow for a review of a Federal Court ruling.

Selvarajah said the wider impact of the ban on using the word ‘Allah’ remains unclear.

“In dismissing leave, the judgement of the Court of Appeal is held so that is the law at the moment, until a court in a future day is able to revisit this and put it right.

“Under the (Printing Presses and Publications) Act, they (Herald) can be suspended or the licence can be revoked. Those are the penalties they face, and Father Lawrence, as the editor, will abide,” he said.--The Malay Mail Online

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