In the aftermath of the Court of Appeal’s decision to ban the use of the word Allah by the Catholic Herald, it is really heartening to note that non-Christians and Christians alike are totally united in expressing their outrage against the apparently controversial and flawed judgement.
The core issue, the use of the word Allah by the Catholic Herald has not been sufficiently addressed by the Court of Appeal. The question is; does the Quran specifically and expressly say that the world Allah is exclusive to Islam and, therefore, Christians are forbidden to use it?
As a matter of fact, the word Allah which is an Arabic word for God, had been widely and commonly used by early Arab Christians who lived in Jerusalem, Samaria, Palestine and Syria and other cities bordering Mediterranean Sea some 600 years before Prophet Mohammad was born. Hence, it is obvious and indisputable that the word Allah had been in use among Arab Christians during the early biblical time.
Hence, to claim the word Allah is exclusive to Islam is beyond any stretch of imagination. People may argue until thy kingdom come but the word Allah predates the advent of Islam.
As a concerned Melanau Catholic, I strongly and unreservedly, and in solidarity with all non-Christians and Christians alike oppose the subtle attempt to suppress our legitimate right. Everyone has the right to question the basis on how the court reached its judgement to criminalise the word Allah by Christians or by Catholic Herald.
It is pertinent to quote what Mustafa Akyol, an acclaimed Turkish columnist, the author of “Islam without Extremes” said in his book. He said a prominent Islamic pundit, Ali Bulac, objected to the second-class dhimmi status that Muslim empires have offered to non-muslims throughout Islamic history. The Islamic ideal, he wrote, should be a social contract based on equal status.
Another prominent conservative opinion leader, HyarettinKaraman, a professor emeritus of Islamic laws and a columnist for pro-Islamic daily, Yeni Safak, defended the views that Jews and Christians can be saved in the after life and that Islam rejects a powerful state like that of the Nazis; and most importantly the un-Islamic beliefs and practices of non-muslims should be free even in Islamic state.
These views are refreshing and inspiring indeed. Unfortunately, such a liberal Islamic philosophy cannot and would not be entertained in this country where religious issues are deemed to be sensitive and controversial. The common contention is, that such issues would lead to racial disharmony, in reality such contention may be just a deception used for political expedience.
I hope readers after reading what I have said about Allah will know the real and authentic origin of the word Allah.