Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Kuala Lumpur (Agenzia Fides) – The dispute over the name "Allah" contains political undertones, not theological ones. It is the attempt by the ruling party, the UMNO (United Malays National Organization), to regain the support they have progressively lost, as was evident in the last elections in 2008. This is what emerges from the interventions, discussions, and debates underway among Malaysian Christians and among the churches of various denominations present in Malaysia. As Fides learns from local sources, this idea is also shared by the opposition parties, many of whom are Muslims who condemn "the attempt to polarize Malaysian society on religious grounds."
Immediately after the first attacks on churches, the PAS (Party Islam Se-Malaysia), an influential Islamic party in opposition, also advocated the use of the word "Allah" for Christians. The party, known for embracing a vision of traditionalist and fundamentalist Islam, seems to have taken on more moderate positions, as seen in this situation. Over the past two years, the PAS has proposed an agenda of a "welfarist" type, focusing on a more egalitarian interpretation of Islam and promoting social justice. It accused the UMNO of confusing Islam with ethnicity, using it to declare "Malay supremacy".
Yesterday the opposition leader, Anwar Ibrahim, leader of the People Justice Party, reiterated his strong condemnation of the church bombings. "As a nation, we must fight to keep the spirit of unity of the founding fathers and to defend Article 11 of the Federal Constitution, which guarantees freedom of religion," he said, calling on people to isolate "those who incite religious hatred for political reasons" . Anwar recalls that "Allah has been the term normally used by Muslims, Jews, and Christians in the Arabic language for 14 centuries." The way to resolve the issue, according to Anwar, is "by engaging in interreligious dialogue." There is an urgent need to revive the Malaysian tradition of peaceful coexistence of religious communities. Anwar has indicated the responsibilities of the government, condemning "the incessant propaganda and inflammatory rhetoric of the mass media controlled by the government," and saying that he was encouraged by the outcry of several Muslim leaders. The Pakatan Rakyat, the opposition coalition, he concluded, will do everything it can so "our Christian brothers feel safe and secure in their country."
While the police are investigating the attacks, trying to find those responsible, Christians have made it known that their their liturgical customs will not change. The question of the word "Allah" mainly affects the Christians of Eastern Malaysia, i.e. the two states of Malaysian Borneo: Sabah and Sarawak, home to the largest population of native Malay-speaking Christians. According to information gathered by Fides, the local communities note that "the Muslims of Borneo have never opposed the typical use of the word 'Allah' among Christians." Although the police have confiscated pastoral material and publications containing the name Allah, the Christian churches of various denominations found in Borneo said it will continue to be used in the liturgy. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 12/1/2010)
