The government's 10-point solution and its approval to distribute the Al Kitab in East Malaysia will be the smoking gun for the Church's case in its challenge against the government's refusal to allow the use of the word 'Allah' in Christian worship.
The government is appealing the Dec 31, 2009 High Court decision that declared the use of 'Allah' is not exclusive to Muslims.
The Court of Appeal is set to decide on this matter on Aug 22.
The respondent is Catholic news publicationThe Heraldwhich is also printed in Bahasa Malaysia and hence the use of the term 'Allah' by non-Muslims is in contention.
Much has been debated on the letter from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to Bishop Ng Moon Hing in the latter's capacity as chairman of the Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM).
The letter dated April 2, 2011 outlines the 10-point solution to the use of Bahasa Malaysia and Bahasa Indonesia bibles, hence allowing the use of 'Allah' for worship, specifically for Bahasa Malaysia-speaking Christians.
However, the fact that these bibles are already in use in Sabah and Sarawak and carry with them the stamp of approval by the Government of Malaysia, allowing their distribution will bear the crux of the Church's argument.
“How can the government rescind its own order, especially when these bibles are already in use and carry the Home Ministry stamp?” asked a source close to the case.
The Home Ministry's seal (right) which was stamped on the 35,100 bibles which were seized in Port Klang and Kuching on March 23, 2009, will now be used in the Church's case.
“Basically, you allowed the books to be released. Your seal of approval is there, which means you approve of the contents and the word 'Allah', so why kick up a fuss now?” added the source.
The government, on the other hand, may use the Church's own argument as defence as the religious party had declared that the bibles were desecrated when the Home Ministry stamped its mark on the bibles without prior notice.
The church is also bringing in an unlikely ally in the form of a PAS statement dated Jan 5, 2010 which said the use of 'Allah' is permissible in Islam for other Abrahamic religions i.e Christians and Jews.
The statement signed by PAS president Datuk Abdul Hadi Awang also cites verse 64 of Surah Al Imran which underlines the correct use of the term 'Allah' and that it should not be abused.
Read more:http://www.fz.com/content/smoking-gun-allah-appeal#ixzz2c0H8xRba
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