Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Kuala Lumpur (Agenzia Fides) – The saga over the use of the name “Allah” for Christians in Malaysia is still holding court in Malaysian society, note sources of Fides from the local Church.
The Evangelical Church "Sidang Injil Borneo” (SIB), meaning “Evangelical Communities of Borneo," is a Protestant denomination rooted mainly in Malaysian Borneo that has filed a case in the High Court of Appeals and Special Powers, to obtain permission to use and distribute Bibles and other pastoral publications in the "Bahasa Malaysia" language, which uses the word "Allah" to refer to God. The High Court has set March 5 for the first hearing with representatives of the Evangelical Church, to examine the delicate issue, which enters into the already well-known saga that filled newspapers in January: the case brought forward by the Catholic Church, particularly "The Herald," for the use of the word "Allah" in its edition in "Bahasa Malaysia."
The “Sidang Injil Borneo” Church, in a ten-point declaration sent to Fides, calls for government recognition of its right, constitutionally protected, to use and distribute Bibles in “Bahasa Malaysia" and “Bahasa Indonesia,” two very similar languages that use the word "Allah."
The SIB Church was established in 1928 and became widespread in Peninsular Malaysia in 1993, using "Bahasa Malaysia" almost always for worship, liturgies, and publications, as it is the only common language among the natives of Borneo. It is one of the largest Christian churches in Malaysia and has over 500,000 faithful, and 600 churches across the nation. One of them was attacked in the wavee of violence against Christian places of worship, following the High Court's decision that was favorable to the Catholic Church, in early January.
The leader of the SIB, Jerry Dusing, is appealing the ban issued by the Government on Bibles and publications that use the word "Allah,” as the community has been "stifled in worship and pastoral ministry." Bibles circulating in the congregation were also seized, along with those sent from Indonesia, all in "Bahasa Malaysia" or "Bahasa Indonesia" (see Fides 20/10/2009). "Religious freedom is our right," said Dusing. The leader also criticized the approach of the government to grant only the faithful present in Malaysian Borneo (namely in the two states of Sabah and Sarawak) to use the word "Allah" for worship (because "its use is traditional for native Christians in East Malaysia," says the executive). These are all issues that the SIB will present to the judge in court.
Meanwhile, after the arrest and detention of three young people accused of taking part in attacks against Christian churches that occurred in January, police investigations are continuing and have led to the arrest and detention of four other young Muslims: four unemployed youth between ages 18 and 29, accused by prosecutors of conducting arson attacks, which places them at risk for having to serve up to 20 years in prison.
In the list of 18 places of worship that have suffered attacks or acts of vandalism between January 8 and 27, following the incident which has ignited public opinion in Malaysia, there are: 11 Christian churches and a monastery, three mosques and two Muslim prayer rooms, and a Sikh temple. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 8/2/2010)
