A group of about 200 to 250 Muslims protested this morning in Penang against the High Court verdict granting the Herald the right to use the term ‘Allah’.
The gathering, in front of the Dewan Sri Pinang, opposite the Penang High Court, began at 10.15am and ended before 11.15am, according to an eyewitness. It was organised by the Badan Anti IFC (Inter-Faith Council) network, known by its acronym Badai, and comprised representatives of various groups. Badai was the same loose group that gathered some 200 demonstrators and disrupted an Article 11 forum at a hotel in Penang in 2006.
Uniformed and plainclothes police were out in numbers this morning, but the gathering, though emotionally charged, was peaceful.
The group called on the government and the Conference of Rulers to intervene.
Other Muslims, however, have different views. Check out Shah Alam MP Khalid Samad’s stand on the use of the term ‘Allah’.
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Politicians should not get involved, they should steer themselves away from religious issues! Sigh ..look at those UMNO … oops Samsengs, all jumping in to gain political mileage!
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Anil,
I have expected this to happen which I have commented earlier in your blog. I think soon, someone will register Allah as an IP and copy righting it. Ha! Ha!
Our people are still “Katak bawah tempurung”, make toes laughter. What if Allah is used in the electronic medium like blogs, on line news etc. Can they stop it, if it is coming from outside Malaysia? Ha! Ha! Hee! Hee!
Anyway hope everyone will think and react rationally and don’t let personal emotion rules the day.
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Is this a coincident that the protest was more loudly heard in PR governed states.
See who is rational and tolerant?
Umno man says ‘Allah’ judgment will stir racial tension
PAS vice-president Datuk Mahfuz Omar said Muslims must respect the decision of the High Court and remain calm
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good that the protest was peaceful but i wonder did they have police permit to hold the protest? if no, why didn’t the police asked them to disperse? if yes, how come it is so easy for them to get permit?
you know, it looks like the judiciary will come to naught again when we have people protesting here and there against the result of the judgment. ‘let the court decide’ you always hear that BUT then after the court decide, people get angry and protest. everybody wants to be a winner! how can?
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Why the protest? We all pray to the same God intuitively. It must be the same God that is on everyone’s mind when the person thinks of God. There cannot be many Gods, but one. Why the fuss then? As long as people’s motive is sincere, let it be. To be God-fearing is more important that labelling the name of God. When people fight in the name of religion, they sin. Let us all live in harmony. Let the people choose the way they want to worship God. To live in harmony is more important, as there are enough religions in this world today to make people hate each other and not to love each other.
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Such low class acts are definitely the works of the UMNO led Bolts and Nuts, who else?
Why are the mosquito parties in Bolts and Nuts keeping their silence? They had always been vocal on all issues but instead chose to keep their deafening silence. As usual, it is the PR, that will come to the defense of the Rakyat, who else?
Shameful developments of the lowest levels by the former corrupt regime! They just have nothing more fruitful to do, just spinning lies and half truths and holding demos. Let us continue to ensure that they will stay that way always.
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The issue is one that needs to be managed tactfully. The holy Quran clearly acknowledges that the non-muslims were indeed refering to their god as “Allah”. YB Khalid Samad is simply highlighting this point. However, the key concern of the muslims is the fear that Allah may be used to refer to ‘son of god” and to “holy ghost” or to any idols (e.g an idol of jesus). Yes, our constitution, gives each one of us the right of religious freedom. Thus, what needs to be done is perhaps, in my view, an acceptable guideline so that “Allah” is not used in a manner that challenges the muslim faith. Those with deeper understanding of religion can come togather and agree on the guideline.
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ayam keluar dari telur ATAU telur keluar dari ayam…..very2 sick of msia…
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Anil..bet you….of the 200 illegal protesters, 195 are … wannebe Malays,,, hahaha
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Devan, EXACTLY
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Allahuakhbar or Allah the Great.
With One Malaysia concept very soon all the Christians will learn to say ” Allahuakhbar”
Most Malays including Mahathir, Zulkifly Nordin etc does not ever understand the teaching of Jesus in the Bible.They confused with the teaching of Paul or Saul the Murderer.
What did Jesus( peace be upon him) teach in the bible?
Mark 12:29
29″The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.[a]
Did anywhere in the bible that Jesus ( peace be upon him)teach about TRINITY?
What did Moses ( peace be upon him)teach in the bible?
Exodus 20: 3- 5
“You shall have no other gods before [a] me.
4 “You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing love to a thousand {generations} of those who love me and keep my commandments.
7 “You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.
What is the teaching of Muhammad ( peace be upon him)
:255 (Y. Ali) Allah. There is no god but He,-the Living, the Self-subsisting, Eternal. No slumber can seize Him nor sleep. His are all things in the heavens and on earth. Who is there can intercede in His presence except as He permitteth? He knoweth what (appeareth to His creatures as) before or after or behind them. Nor shall they compass aught of His knowledge except as He willeth. His Throne doth extend over the heavens and the earth, and He feeleth no fatigue in guarding and preserving them for He is the Most High, the Supreme (in glory).
2:256 (Y. Ali) Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from Error: whoever rejects evil and believes in Allah hath grasped the most trustworthy hand-hold, that never breaks. And Allah heareth and knoweth all things.
There is no other God but me, a righteous God and Savior. There is none but me. Let all the world look to me for salvation! For I am God there is no other. I have sworn by my own name … Every knee will bend to me, and every tongue will confess allegiance to me.” (Isaiah 45:21-23)
Allah the Almighty Creator is the the God of Abraham, Jesus, Moses,Muhammad ( peace be upon them) and all mankind
2:133 (Y. Ali) Were ye witnesses when death appeared before Jacob? Behold, he said to his sons: “What will ye worship after me?” They said: “We shall worship Thy Allah and the Allah of thy fathers, of Abraham, Isma’il and Isaac,- the one (True) Allah. To Him we bow (in Islam).”
To be Malaysian is to understand the teaching of other religions
The name of God is Allah even in the Bible – Ahmad Deedat
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Mr. Netto, as a reporter, could you do a report, on the (alleged) infiltration of Muslim NGOS by foreign-based fanatics… Particularly from Afghan, Pakistani and Bangladeshi nationalities – Intelligence must be palced in all these so-called NGOs? They are stirring up hate in both Malaysia and Indonesia against non-Muslims;- in order to have their strategic base in oil-rich SEA(?) In KL, a few times, I was driven in a taxi, by these nationalities (and including many Indonesians)- how did they get the permits so easily? I have made complaints to the authority before I left Malaysia. Especially in Penang, Johor and Kuala Lumpur – their main hub.
By the way, how come these kind of protests, by so-called muslim NGOs are always allowed….?!
Katharina Sri (former: Noor Aza)
Germany
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Agree with you, Noor. I had many experiences travelling in taxis driven by Indonesians. Just how did they get their licence huh? Surprising, these people are depriving our locals of a job, and worst of, once inside their taxis, they will blow their trumpets, that the towkays here trust them more than they trust Malays, and branded the Malays here lazy. Just are the authorities aware that these people are undermining the good name of the country? Really just wonder.
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I have experienced this many times in taxis driven by Indonesians. (Some of) these drivers would condemn the Malay race. This happens almost all the time. They even know how to relate the Malay race to the word Melayu which they loosely translate as ‘orang malas’. They would quip, “Orang Melayu malas, orang Seberang kuat kerja.” “Kami masih warga Indonesia”. “Kami hanya cari duit untuk pulang.” This is too much coming from foreigners,though they seem to look friendly. I just wonder what would happen to the country if more foreigners are allowed in. There are now Pakistanis, Afghans, Iraqis, Yemenis etc., in the country. Some are even given PR status. Many have found jobs.Many could not get entry into Australia or other developed countries and they are here. Talk to them, and this is their dream. The government should ensure that these people do not influence the NGOs or the good-natured Muslims in this country to become ‘violent’ like we see among many of these people in their homeland.
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adam and eve = adam dan hawa
mary – maryam
jesus = nabi isa
abraham = ibrahim
jacob = yakub
joseph = yusof
moses = musa
solomon = sulaiman
david = daud
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Why protest in Penang?
The problem is not in Penang.
The problem, if any, is in East Malaysia.
Why the fuss here if the East Malaysian Muslims are not complaining and they certainly know that their Christian brothers have been calling their God “Allah” since time immemorial.
Dirty hands of politicians in action.
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We are a divided naton. So diverse that the all slogans associated with 1Malaysia seem like jokes.
Malaysians failed to learn from history, where the inhabitants then stab and killed in the name of religion. Can’t we value peace now, and cultivate the basic human virtues of tolerance and togetherness?
If such a divisive behaviour continues, then the present and future ruling government have to keep on coining out slogans of 1 or unite or lekat or … that … for another hundred years, just because Malaysians are infant in understanding the meaning of a plural society.
People who are not tolerant in a plural society are akin to the different species and beings inhabiting in the deep jungle. These beings woud bite each other at the earliest opportunity thir furs are of different thickness and colour.
Can Malaysians be led to scale down from the tree house and sit on the common table to discuss on filling the dinner plates with glorious food, so that our dinners are always tasty and wonderful?
Leaders who keep on differentiating our colours and beliefs and take advantage in this way are no different from people who dirty our food bowls.
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This is all just a “wayang”.
The decision (could) be overturned on Appeal and in Federal Court, for sure.
Meanwhile, they have managed to strike fear in the Muslims that this is what will happen if they vote PR into power.
UMNO ministers make pro-Islam speeches. Najib rushes to the Council of Rulers for help.
Guess who comes out looking like true defenders of the faith?
GE13 is as good as lost.
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Sarah,
Not to worry. Be calm. The GE13 plan is very much on track as far as the Rakyat can see who are the actual scums of the Malaysian society.
This is a God sent, or should I say, Allah sent opportunity. It is the intervention of Allah to correct the evils in Malaysia. This is a wake up call to all, to see the difference between UMNO and PAS.
Sarah, think, think very hard why I mentioned what happened is God sent, Allah sent! Cannot be too specificla, as there are too many spinners here, but just put on your thinking cap and think. What had happened is such a strong reason why Malaysians will rush to the otherside by huge numbers.
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Don’t be naive, the rule of law is never exist in their (UMNO included) mind….
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Who actually is the real Talibans in Malaysia? Is it PAS together with PKR and DAP or the UMNO led BN supported by MCA, MIC, Gerakan and other mosquito parties?
Makes one wonder, why is BN who claimed to be the party who considers themselves moderates, but, their actions are worse than … extremists …? Even the Talibans would be magnanimous enough and happy if the Americans say Allah in their prayers! It just showed how successfully the religion has spread. But in Malaysia, well a different set of rules apply.
Just wonder why Gerakan, MIC had not spoken a word till yet, though the MCA had lauded the judgment of the Court. KPI Minister surely dare not say a word for the Rakyat. It is his position that matters? Perhaps some Gerakan state chairman or youth chiefs will voice their opinions?
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Islam in other country like Indonesia is rational, open and liberal unlike version in the Bolehland.
These people here are giving bad image to Islam.
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I would love it if someone wants to call my GOd *Allah*too;religion is only a word which is only a concept;its the ultimate reality that counts;perhaps the christians should call their god *Buddha*or *Amitabha* because *Buddha* & *Amitabha* and *Allah* had been used more than 5000 years ago inChina;long before *Islam * and their religion & followers came into being;insyah Allah this will come to a compromise;Alhamdulilah!
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If the term “Tua Pek Kong” is used instead, would the toaist cared or protest? As a toaist myself, I don’t think so, in fact I feel proud.
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What a joke.
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Hi there Anil,
Have been reading your blog and this is my first time posting on your blog. While the term “Allah” whether its use is being allowed by ppl other than muslims does not affect me greatly personally, i can see it being directly affecting Christians esp those of Sabah and Sarawak whose main language use in worship is in bahasa.
It seems that now not only the christians are drawn into this senseless debate started by the governemnt of Malaysia, but it seems that the Sikh are also drawn into this debate. Sikh apparently uses the term “Allah’ in their worship of God and it looks like they will be drawn into this debate sooner than later.
Heres the youtube link, with an interview with the Malaysian Gurdwara Council:
http://www.youtube.com/EnvironsEagles#p/u/3/jWXvPicuJEw
just a christian,
Oedipus
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I have always asked how can there be more than 1 GOD? God is Infinite and all Powerful? So is it possible to have not one but 2 or 3 or 4 infimite Gods?
On the other hand, I see more and more muslims are using Christian names with a different spelling, but sounding the same. Christina is being spelt Qistina. This would also be very confusing to the muslims … and soon they will be come Christians(?). Or is it possible that in 5-10 years time, such names will become the IP/copyright of muslims in Malaysia?
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What a goldmine for those who wish to retain power. Slick move dudes. This is why, Malaysians, especially the opposition need to think a whole lot more before they say or do stuff. Use your damn brains for a bit. Remember that you are dealing with an organization that is desperate to retain power at all costs and will do whatever it takes to achieve that….
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I am pissed today not sure if this is related to the Allah thing & Christian.
Back to school today for my (Grace Ho Hwee Ling)) daughter’s Darjah 5 in the same school she had studied since the past 4 years, I had a rude shock when her teacher’s recorded her name as Grace A/P Hweeling!!!!!!! My family name Ho is gone and missing and the teacher says she simplified it with A/P. A/P mean anak perempuan. While Ho has 2 characters, A/P are 3 characters so her reasoning she simplified it is not valid. Yes, her name tag for the school uniform did print Grace Ho, and she is very famous being the only 2 Chinese girls in SK Darjah 5 of about 110 pupils. Famous too being a Pengawas & me being an Ahli Jawatan Kuasa in the Persatuan Ibu Bapa dan Guru where I attended the monthly meetings with the entire Guru.
After paying for all the fees, the receipt was hand written Grace Hweeling. I am like !!!!#$%^&#$%^&!!
We do know the Indians uses A/P; the Muslim uses Binti; but the Chinese family name can never be Grace, right?
Just about 2 months ago, a School Certification of participation was given as “Grace Ho A/P Patrick Ho”. Was I hopping mad? This certificate would be useless being not the same as in the birth certificate or in the school’s register.
Previously I wrote about a nurse in a Government Hospital calling out Ho Hwee repeatedly while we were standing just about 5 feet away. Took us a few seconds to scan our heads around if that is some one else’s name. Besides we used to call her Grace. After several shouts calling out Ho Hwee, we finally responded and was met with a scolding for not responding fast. Hei, in the first place no chinese called their child’s family name and middle name like Ho Hwee..
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200 huh? So (they have) more support than the MACC huh? Najib desperately appeals for calm but he can fire tear gas and water cannons at tens of thousands protesting in KL without even mentioning it huh?
“I am pissed today”
Christ, I wish I was!
(Different meanings, either side of the Atlantic. Thank God for Christians, or I would never be able to write a comment like this. Blimey, what a world that would be! Jesus, I need a drink….)
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Read this Malaysian.
Any person who has faith in his believe should NOT be afraid of the external forces.
http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/index.php/opinion/breaking-views/48413-confident-people-do-not-get-confused–marina-mahathir
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