“It’s too late. I’ve mentioned it many times,” the minister in charge of law and parliamentary affairs Nazri Aziz said when asked his opinion on a dialogue to resolve dilemma.
“It was the failure of the rundingan that resulted in the matter being brought to court,” he pointed out.
“It’s not the fault of the government. Let it be known that it was Tan Sri Pakiam, not the government, who brought the matter to court,” Nazri stressed.
The Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur, Reverend Murphy Pakiam representing the Roman Catholic Church had taken the federal government to court after the home minister banned the church newspaper from publishing the word “Allah” three years ago.
Nazri has to be corrected on the failure of dialogue to resolve the issue. Barisan government has never been supportive of any interfaith dialogue. Previous dialogues were met with hostile disruptions and protests.
It is doubtful if an out of court solution can be held fairly taking into consideration the historical use of 'Allah' by other Abrahamic faiths which predated Islam.
UMNO's intention to ban the use of 'Allah' is to seek exclusivity for Islam which was never demanded by the religion. The justification used to impose the ban has directly belittled the intelligence and wisdom of Muslims in the country. Moreover, it has created a negative and skewed reputation and perception of Islam in Malaysia.
The government should stay out of religion. This is the most viable option for Barisan Nasional.
Nazri said it is too late for a dialogue. Yes, it is too late now not only for a dialogue but for a reversal of Barisan's political fortune.
Through this sad episode, it is no longer possible for Barisan to claim that it represents all races in the country. Component parties in the coalition might as well ship out or close shop.
Previously, several leaders of Barisan component parties shared with me their frustrations with UMNO and their desire to seek the emergence of a truly multiracial political platform. These leaders should walk their talk. There is no reason to continue tagging on the apron of UMNO since the party has decided to walk its own communal path - rightly or wrongly.
Otherwise, leaders such as Koh Tsu Koon, Ong Tee Keat, Palanivel and others will go down in history for leading their respective party into an irreversible decline. I met a young and bright Pakatan assemblyman recently and totally agree with his observation that multiracial politics is the future. The future is now.
30 comments:
Well said, Khoo !! Yes, the future in now !!
Kamal
Ya, it's too late. this Bn gov't have never been pro interfaith dialogue. Remember when there was a interfaith dialogue been held by the law council and umno sponsor gangsters to disrupt the meeting.With the straw that broke the camel back, this has come back to haunt umno.
Indeed it is true that Islam does not seek to prevent nonmuslims from claiming that Allah belongs to Islam alone. No matter how one wants to portray him HE is always the same ALLAH and he does not require any help or support to be where he is because.He belongs to all .Everyone has a right to his mercy and love.So lets worship him and him alone.
A word of caution:Be aware of the gansteristic tactics by UMNO.Look at the way they demonstrate against the PKR govt in Penang and Selangor(the cowhead incident).They will create havoc and make the country into emergency rule and tell the rakyat:look!if you vote for me,there will be peace in the country.
LOL!!! It has now gone to logistics, getting messier and sillier by the day ...jokers!
I don't think the UMNO guys know what they are doing except with the goal of creating unrest so that a forced takeover control of Selangor government can happen.
UMNO was expecting more violence but that did not happen. So, now they are at a loss on what to do. Push on with the courts, hoping that they can arouse the emotions of Malays to the point of violent outburst. The Malays thus far have been fair minded about the issue except for the UMNO-backed NGO.
Since the last election, UMNO has been unable to move its political leanings to middle Malaysia as it has too much heavy baggage to consider ever to freed itself from racial and religious politics because of its communal politics beginnings background and its deep sense of superiority over other components parties within BN.
The problems were also compounded with corruption and money politics prevailent in the party that has spread to even the next biggest party in BN, i.e the MCA.
Beset with such problem, reforms cannot be comprehensive nor thoughtfully implemented, most if not all were done in ac hoc basis. Social and religious issues were not competently tackled as most of the UMNO ministers were in fact more concerned with money and positions rather than solving the people's problems.
No interfaith dialogue then and ever b'cos they are too shame and no courage to admit the master's wrong and evil minded decisions. Surely they are doomed in GE13
I wonder why others non muslim MP & Adun in BN parties still with BN.
I am Muslim Arab whose ancestors were 'Jewish' in faith since the time of King Solomon.
I'd like to clarify your statement, "the historical use of 'Allah' by other Abrahamic faiths which predated Islam.", is not consistent with Islamic belief.
The Quran clarifies in Sura Al-Imran Verse 67: Abraham was not a Jew nor yet a Christian; but he was true in Faith, and bowed his will to Allah's (which is Islam), he joined not gods with Allah.
In other words Islam has been in existence but in different forms during different times. As such, I do not consider my ancestors as 'Jewish'; they were indeed practising Islam but in Hebrew form.
Accepting Jesus and Mohamed as prophets of Allah as well as accepting the Quran as the Final Revelation is the difference.
ARE WE IN OR OUT?
Others try to draw a line to keep me out
But I draw a bigger circle to bring them in
For this is what "loving your neighbour" is all about
For under the fatherhood of God we are all kins
(C) Samuel Goh Kim Eng - 190110
http://MotivationInMotion.blogspot.com
Tue. 19th Jan. 2010.
What business has UMNO to interfere in the practice of other religions? The Koran does not proscribe the use of the word “Allxh” only to Muslims nor does it says that Islam is tied to a particular race? If UMNO is successful in their bid to ban “Allxh”, then Allxh is their plaything.
What other prohibitions will follow henceforth? Will there be exclusive enclaves for Muslims in this country? Will there be separate infrastructures for Muslims and non-Muslims? Will there be dictates that other religions should not literally pray to any Gods because according to UMNO interpretations there is no God but only their brand of “Allxh”?
This is no joke because it is already in the Constitution that the definition of a race is determined by legislation and not by biology. There were also calls by UMNO ultras in the light of the cowhead incident and the liquor ban in Selangor that certain areas were the exclusive enclaves of section of a particular religion. UMNO is in total control of all the apparatus of the state and they are likely to repeat the footsteps of the Fascist and Communist regimes in the days of yore with the temptation to ban all other religion except their brand of Islam.
UMNO has already demonstrated what they are capable of. They are out of control and has no respect for the law of this country. Scary isn’t it?
never too late. If the govt is serious in solving the issue, there is still time to make things right and it has to be now. the real problem is whether the govt wants to resolve the matter??
Can someone send UMNO monkeys to hell.
With the "Allah" crisis still raging on in the country, perhaps some UMNO leaders can help explain how are we going to sing the national anthem together as one people henceforth : 1. In "Negara Ku", the word "Tuhan" is used. If UMNO insist that the Christians use "Tuhan" to mean "God", then Muslims in this country cannot sing the anthem, because God to them is "Allah". Got it? 2. Now if we were to change it to "Allah" so that the Muslims can sing the anthem, that would put the non-Muslims in a fix because they are not permitted to mention "Allah". Got it? Today, I heard that the FTs are included as another zone where the word "Allah" can be used.
UMNO won't allow the churches to print BM bibles here and neither will they allow the import of BI bibles as it would mean contravening the PPP Act. On top of that, they are also against inter-faith dialogs. So what choice do the Church have but to seek the help of the court, and they [UMNO] have the audacity to say that the Church started the problem. If it was so, then have the guts to go over to East Malaysia and tell the natives in their faces that the ruling on the usage of the word "Allah" stands - take it or leave it! Stop dictating terms from the comfort of their home turf.
Anonymous said...
I wonder why others non muslim MP & Adun in BN parties still with BN.
11:29 PM
they have ALWAYS been there to prosper THEMSELVES at the electorate's expense.
From afar, I an exMalaysian fell tremendously encouraged that the young Malays, Chinese and Indians in Malaysia have more foresight than the narrow minded leaders of the communal/ethnic/racial political parties. Think of everyone as the member of the Malaysia human race and the country will be in good stead. Some of the leaders still have the "katak di bawah tempurung" mentality in spite of studying abroad and having international exposure as the nation's leaders. Tunnel vision with added blinkers that is what the Barisan coyotes possess/ Good luck to the young and keep getting united- do not follow the so called "elders".
I would be real surprised if the Appeal Courts would dare act against the Federal Govt.So? back to square one! My suggestion is to line up the MCA & MIC bosses to face Umno,have a dialogue and come out with a statement of the outcome.Afterall, they represent the rakyat! They are so so quiet these days.
Please lets work towards getting rid of this BN Goverment for the betterment of all Malaysian. Period.
Muhammad
As said for 3 years the "Allah" word was in court. For that 3 years it was peaceful....
Why only now the chaos? Who instigated the whole issue? Who gave the green light "by running around the tree"...????
Why aren't the culprits caught yet? Why so slow?
Why play with rakyat's sentiments?
Why can't Mr. PM said to stop all these & anyone, irregardless of race & religion will be ISA without trial for creating racial chaos in Malaysia???
Why.....?????
Malaysia should now be ranked a high Top 2 on the
World Stupid Nations index
lol !
"Anonymous said...
1) I'd like to clarify your statement, "the historical use of 'Allah' by other Abrahamic faiths which predated Islam.", is not consistent with Islamic belief.
2) In other words Islam has been in existence but in different forms during different times.
With due respect dear brother,
1) You DO Agree that the word "ALLAH" has been used since Abrahamic Faiths which predated Islam.
2) This very same comment can be said the other way around my brother.
But the fact remains that its the same GOD which is being referred to here...let HIM(The ALMIGHTY) be the judge when the time comes...why the monopoly?
Just my 2 cents worth...my apologies if my comments offend anyone.
Indeed it is "past Soochow" for BN as we have always known it for its divisive politics. The component parties have been rejected for their consistent kowtow-ing to the political masters to the point of being aptly described as running dogs.
To the comment from a Muslim Arab, perhaps if you could, please find out the real cause for your ancestors' conversion out of, and their denial of their Jewish heritage. One will not pass any comments for their reasons nor rationale.
However, a moot point must be made. If Islam was indeed extant since time immemorial and divinely ordained, then there should be every consistency on theology and doctrine that sets it apart as singular and peerless.
If you look around you, not at the evil and destructive inclinations of man but to the abiding goodness of God in His creation of all living things, the seasons and the heavens,the visible and non visible, you will discover the faithful, consistency, goodness, and holiness of an eternal God. Whose every desire is for the good of His creation. Inwardly, I am ill at ease with a faith that is bent on depriving and destroying those that do not submit to its beliefs.
@ anonymous states that :-
The Quran clarifies in Sura Al-Imran Verse 67: Abraham was not a Jew nor yet a Christian; but he was true in Faith, and bowed his will to Allah's (which is Islam), he joined not gods with Allah.
But I believe, the word "bowed" is wrongly translated. It should be "submit".
neither Abraham nor mohamed actualy propagated religion. They served God by doing good deeds and refrain from evil.
We should all serve and submit to "The God". Not by doing ritual prayers, but by being righteous, just and humble. That is why, there are no mention of ritual prayers in the Qur'an. You will find reference to ritual prayers only in the hadith and sunnahs, book written by men.
The meccan arabs were steep in religious traditions 1500 years ago. They were praying to stones. When Prophet Mukammed passed away, they transformed his teachings into their religion, which is being practised today. The Haj is nothing more than a pagan ritual around a black stone.
Neither Jesus, not Mohamed, nor Abraham created any of the religion being practised today. Those who trust and have faith in "The God" meaning "Allah" in arabic, will not impose on anyone regarding the usage of the word "Allah", for who are we to impose such a condition.
Religion, is like many other man made ideology like capitalism and communism. Best we discard all these and serve "The God" alone. For in the next life, we will be judged by our deeds and not by the number of rituals we performed.
dr kkp said:
>The future is now.
>Posted by Khoo Kay Peng at 5:48 >PM 11 comments
would this man put his foot into his mouth like his dsai?
A word is a symbolic convenience for something in reality.
From this article on the Shakespearean saying, a rose by any other name would smell as sweet
Interpretation 1:
"By claiming that the rose would smell the same no matter what it was called this saying is asserting that reality trumps language. Reality is what is actually there and is independent of human perspectives, and how a rose smells is fact that is part of reality."
Interpretation 3:
"Literally the saying seems to be expressing the idea that language is unimportant because the rose is the same no matter what you call it. However, ironically, the saying can only be understood because it uses the word “rose” and not some other arbitrary word. You can call a rose whatever you like, but you have to consistently refer to it by some label or you will be unable to talk about it."
Interpretation 4:
"Instead of taking this saying to capture some truth about language, as the interpretations so far have, we might instead take it to be offering advice. Specifically it can be read as encouraging us not to be mislead by language and to be guided by what is actually there. A flower should be smelled to determine whether it is sweet. We shouldn’t try to understand the world by pondering the words we use to describe the world, but by examining the world directly."
Interpretation 5:
"Certainly that isn’t the only case of distinctions invented where it is hard to find any real difference; consider the distinction between people of different nationalities. Reasoning on the basis of these distinctions is flawed because there are no real differences behind the linguistic differences."
Interpretation 6:
"So construed the saying constitutes a warning against trying to change the world by changing the way you talk about it. Certainly that seems like an absurd thing to do. It would take a special kind of craziness to think that you could change the world in that way. And yet people try to do just that all the time."
Muslim Arab responding to Anonymous @10.05am
For the record, I will never dispute ANYONE (including Buddhists and Hindus) from using the word 'Allah'. The word is Arabic in origin and the Quran was revealed in Arabic; therefore, in my view, Malaysia is completely and utterly ARROGANT in ignoring the rights of the Arabs to clarify the definition and the appropriate application.
Are you all so stupid to think that UMNO/govt ministers are that stupid like the stupid katak dibawah stupid tempurong? These stupid ministers are in fact stupidly smart to deliberately pretend to be stupid so that they can swindle the wealth of ours, the stupid rakyat. Are not we, the rakyat are the ones stupid to assume these ministers stupid? Once enough of wealth plundering these stupid ministers will then mock at us and say, Me stupid? No, you stupid. They will then leave this stupid Malaysia of stupid people to another stupid land where they can stupidly enjoy their carefree kingsly lives without worrying about all the stupid politics in the stupid land of stupid Malaysians. Now see, who is stupid?
cksf please stick to the subject. Lets not attack someone elses blog.
Too late for a dialogue? where got rundingan? it's only I say, you do as directed, rundingan my foot!
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