SAIRIN: NO PROBLEM WITH K'GAU MUSLIMS ON USE OF 'ALLAH'

Sairin: No problem with K'gau Muslims on use of 'Allah'

March 20, 2011 Keningau: Muslims in Keningau have no objection to the use of the word "Allah" to denote God by their Christian brethren and never saw the matter as an issue, said Assistant State Rural Development Minister, Datuk Sairin Hj Karno.

Officiating at the closing ceremony of the 1Malaysia Health Awareness Programme at the Arked Hall Keningau, Saturday, he said people here know that in Islam there is such teaching which commands its followers to respect one another, including those from different religions and backgrounds.

"In the Quran, there is a verse which says 'You with your religion, us with our religion, let us respect one another," and Muslims here has always been holding onto this principle. We even share the same great grandparents, Adam and Eve, thus there is no use bickering over matters that, in the first place, has never been an issue," he said.

Sairin, who is also Liawan Assemblyman, said people in Sabah know very well to chose the right thing by living side by side in unity and visiting each other during different religious festivities.

Meanwhile, he urged the people, especially the local leaders like JKKK Chairman and Village Heads in the district to take as priority their physical health in order to execute better governance over their respectable areas.

He said this can be achieve through regular workout and by organising outdoor activities such as gotong royong as well as attending health awareness programmes as the one held in the event.

"It is very important for the people to have healthy lifestyle, and towards that end, local leaders must lead by example because they are the head of the community and constantly being observed by their people," he said.

Also present at the event were Liawan People Development Leader, Rosdi Padiman, District Chief, Amir Datuk Arif, PBS Keningau Chief Liaison Officer, Harry Otigil and other local leaders.

ZULKIFLI NOORDIN HARI INI ENGGAN BERDEPAN DENGAN LEMBAGA DISIPLIN KERANA TIDAK MENGIKTIRAF BADAN YANG DIANGGOTAI BUKAN ISLAM.

Zulkifli Enggan Berdepan Lembaga Disiplin

PETALING JAYA: Zulkifli Noordin hari ini enggan berdepan dengan Lembaga Disiplin kerana tidak mengiktiraf badan yang dianggotai bukan Islam.

Ini kerana katanya,isu yang dibangkitkan ialah penggunaan kalimah Allah yang mungkin mengakibatkan keputusan tidak adil.

MP BAGAN SERAI BERTINDAK KELUAR PARTI KERANA ISU ALLAH

MP Bagan Serai pula umum keluar PKR

Ahli parliman Bagan Serai, Mohsin Fadzli Samsuri hari ini mengumumkan keluar dari PKR dan menjadi wakil rakyat Bebas.

Mohsin (foto), 65, yang dilantik mewakili PKR di kerusi utara Perak adalah ahli parlimen ketiga parti itu yang bertindak keluar parti.

Dua yang lain itu ialah MP Bayan Baru, Zahrain Hashim dan MP Nibong Tebal, Tan Tee Beng.

Pada sidang media, pagi ini di Ampang, Moshin diiringi oleh bekas setiausaha agung PKR, Datuk Salehuddin Hashim.

Salehuddin sebelum ini juga muncul pada dua sidang media di mana dua ahli parlimen PKR berkenaan mengumumkan tindakan keluar parti mereka.

Turut keluar PKR ialah bekas timbalan ketua menteri Pulau Pinang, Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin.

Pada pilihan raya umum 2008 lalu, Mohsin yang pertama kali bertanding mengalahkan Timbalan Menteri Dalam Negeri, Datuk Zainal Abidin Zin dari Umno dengan majoriti 3,413 undi.

Parlimen Bagan Serai mempunyai 47,111 pengundi berdaftar.

Berikutan ini, jumlah ahli parlimen PKR kini tinggal 27 orang.

Jumlah itu adalah kurang daripada kerusi yang dimiliki oleh sekutunya dalam Pakatan Rakyat, DAP.

DAP mempunyai 28 kerusi, manakala PKR sekarang ini memiliki 27 dan PAS 23.

Bagaimanpun pemimpin DAP dan juga PAS semalam memaklumkan mereka akan terus memberi sokongankepada ketua umum PKR untuk menjadi Ketua Pembangkang di parlimen.

Isnin lalu, Salehuddin meramalkan, lebih 10 lagi wakil rakyat PKR akan keluar parti itu.

Bercakap dalam sidang akhbar tersebut, Mohsin berkata beliau bertindak keluar parti kerana tidak bersetuju dengan pendirian PKR berhubung isu Allah.

Menurutnya, beliau telah membangkitkan perkara itu melalui saluran parti tetapi mendakwa ia tidak dihiraukan.

Salehudin pula berkata, PKR tidak seharusnya membuat sebarang pendirian ketika ahli-ahlinya masih bercelaru mengenai isu tersebut.

Beliau mendakwa, keputusan dibuat oleh satu dua orang tanpa dibahaskan.

Keadaan itu, tambahnya, telah menimbulkan kegelisahan di kalangan pemimpin di peringkat akar umbi.

---

Anggota Parlimen Bagan Serai Keluar PKR

KUALA LUMPUR, 3 Mac (Bernama) -- Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) kehilangan seorang lagi wakil rakyat mereka pada Rabu apabila Anggota Parlimen Bagan Serai Mohsin Fadzli Samsuri mengumumkan keluar parti.

Mohsin memberitahu sidang media di sini bahawa beliau hilang keyakinan terhadap perjuangan dan matlamat politik PKR dan gagasan Pakatan Rakyat khususnya dalam mengembalikan politik dan kedaulatan Islam.

Berikut tindakan itu, beliau mengikut jejak langkah Anggota Parlimen Bayan Baru Datuk Seri Zahrain Mohamed Hashim, Anggota Parlimen Nibong Tebal Tan Tee Beng dan bekas Timbalan Ketua Menteri 1 Pulau Pinang Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin yang meninggalkan parti itu.

Mohsin berkata beliau akan menjadi anggota parlimen bebas.

ANWAR DAKWA DAPAT SOKONGAN PEMIMPIN LUAR NEGARA

Anwar dakwa dapat sokongan AS

KOTA KINABALU 28 Feb. - Penasihat Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (gambar) hari ini mengaku mendapat sokongan dan perhatian daripada Amerika Syarikat (AS) dalam kes tuduhan meliwat yang sedang dihadapinya.

Malah, katanya, beliau turut mendapat sokongan daripada pemimpin negara Islam lain seperti Turki dan Qatar.

Tambahnya, dalam isu kes liwatnya itu beliau turut mendapat sokongan daripada bekas Presiden Indonesia, B.J Habibi selain 58 Ahli Parlimen Australia.

"Minggu lalu saya pergi ke Qatar, Perdana Menteri, Syeikh Hamad jemput saya. Peluk saya dan bagi sokongan. Perdana Menteri Turki, (Recep Tayyip Erdogen) peluk saya dan dengan sedih berkata, saya menyokong kamu.

"Hillary Clinton (Setiausaha Amerika Syarikat) ketika di Qatar, apabila dia nampak saya dia terus bangun dan salam. Saya ingat kalau peluk, saya pun OK tetapi dia tidak peluk saya, kalau dia peluk, nanti Utusan Malaysia akan ambil gambar.

"Saya nak tanya dia bagaimana keadaan Clinton (bekas Presiden Amerika Syarikat) kerana membuat pemeriksaan jantung. Tetapi belum sempat saya bertanya, dia kata sebenarnya kami bersama anda Anwar, kami berjuang untuk keadilan," katanya ketika berucap pada majlis sambutan Tahun Baru Cina di Sekolah Menengah Kian Kok dekat sini hari ini.

Turut hadir, Penasihat DAP, Lim Kit Siang; Naib Presiden PKR, Datuk Dr. Jeffrey Kitingan, Presiden Parti Maju Sabah, Datuk Yong Teck Lee dan Pengerusi PKR Sabah, Ahmad Thamrin Jaini.

Menurut Anwar, beliau turut mendapat sokongan daripada wartawan luar termasuk seorang editor terkenal dari India yang datang ke Kuala Lumpur baru-baru ini.

Sementara itu, mengulas mengenai isu kalimah 'Allah', Anwar masih tetap dengan pendiriannya bahawa kalimah tersebut bukan untuk orang Islam sahaja.

"Orang Arab kata apa sudah jadi dengan Malaysia, 'Allah' sesetengah negeri boleh, setengah lagi tidak boleh. Orang Kristian di Arab guna Allah," ujarnya.

BEKAS TIMBALAN KETUA MENTERI 1 PULAU PINANG SERTAI UMNO KERANA KECEWA DENGAN CARA PKR KENDALIKAN ISU KALIMAH ALLAH

Bekas Timbalan Ketua Menteri 1 Pulau Pinang Sertai Umno

KUALA LUMPUR, 1 Mac (Bernama) -- Bekas Timbalan Ketua Menteri 1 Pulau Pinang Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin Ahad malam mengumumkan keluar dari Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) untuk menyertai Umno.

Pengumumannya itu dibuat di hadapan Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak pada majlis perjumpaan beliau dengan Persatuan Silat Seni Gayung di Ampang, dekat sini.

Mohammad Fairus, 33, kemudian menyerahkan borang keanggotaannya menyertai Umno kepada Najib selaku Presiden Umno.

Terdahulu itu, dalam ucapannya Mohammad Fairus, yang juga bekas Anggota Dewan Undangan Negeri Penanti, berkata keputusannya keluar dari PKR adalah kerana sudah hilang kepercayaan dan keyakinan terhadap para pemimpin parti itu terutamanya dalam perkara yang membabitkan Islam dan Melayu.

"Saya lihat pemimpin PKR tidak berdaya mempertahankan kedaulatan Islam dan bangsa Melayu. Saya juga kecewa dengan cara PKR kendalikan isu kalimah Allah," katanya.

Sementara itu, Najib berkata keputusan Mohammad Fairus keluar daripada PKR jelas membuktikan keyakinan terhadap pucuk kepimpinan parti itu di kalangan pemimpin-pemimpinnya semakin merosot.

Beliau berkata ini dapat dilihat daripada tindakan Mohammad Fairus yang juga pemimpin kanan PKR selain pernah memegang jawatan penting dalam pentadbiran kerajaan Pakatan Rakyat di Pulau Pinang sebelum ini.

"Paling saya amati dari ucapannya tadi, dia telah kehilangan kepercayaan terhadap kepimpinan PKR kerana PKR gagal mempertahankan apa yang dianggap sebagai prinsip paling fundamental pada dasarnya iaitu maruah dan kesucian agama Islam," katanya.

Sambil menyambut baik penyertaan Mohammad Fairus sebagai anggota baru Umno, Najib berkata: "Kami (Umno) terima dengan senang hati kerana saya tahu Fairus buat keputusan ini atas soal prinsip dan dasar bukan kerana jawatan ataupun ganjaran. Welcome to Umno".

Mohammad Fairus meletakkan semua jawatannya dalam PKR dan ADUN Penanti setelah dikaitkan terbabit dalam kes rasuah yang melibatkan pemberian lesen kuari semasa dalam pentadbiran pada April lepas, atas alasan ingin melanjutkan pelajaran.

Baru-baru ini, Suruhanjaya Pencegahan Rasuah Malaysia (SPRM) menutup lapan kes rasuah berprofil tinggi termasuk Mohammad Fairus.

Kemudian, ketika bercakap pada sidang media buat pertama kali setelah menyepi hampir setahun, Mohammad Fairus berkata beliau memilih untuk meneruskan perjuangannya melalui Umno kerana percaya parti itu merupakan pesada yang mampu menperjuangkan hak rakyat khasnya orang Melayu dan agama Islam.

SHE WAS CURIOUS WHY THE WILD BOAR HEAD WAS ACTUALLY WRAPPED AND TIED WITH A ROPE "AS THOUGH THOSE HANDLING CANNOT TOUCH IT".

Bid to end Anwar's career: Azizah

Kota Kinabalu: Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) President, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, claimed the on-going trial of the sodomy charge against Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was aimed at ending her husband's political career.

But, she said since it was the second time that they were facing this situation, "now we know better" unlike previously when they panicked.

"This is not a case of Anwar but a case of Malaysia," she said at the Society of Hope charity dinner at Grand Port View, Saturday.

"Their main intention is to destroy Anwar," she claimed.

On the Allah word issue, Wan Azizah said it should not be an issue after all.

She related that her husband had attended the Organisation of Islamic Council (OIC) meeting previously when former Prime Minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was the Chairman and the issue was discussed.

And the use of the word Allah by Christians was not an issue during the World Ulamak (Clerics) meeting, she said.

She said because of the issue, five churches in Peninsular Malaysia were damaged by fire.

Following the incidents, a mosque, which happened to be in her daughter's constituency, had a wild boar head thrown into it, she said.

However, she said she was curious why the wild boar head was actually wrapped and tied with a rope "as though those handling cannot touch it".

Meanwhile, Wan Azizah commended the Society of Hope, which is chaired by Christina Liew, for the charity works to help the poor, especially those in Kota Marudu, "the constituency represented by the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation".

"It is shameful that Sabah and Sarawak are the fixed deposit for the BN but the voters are being taken for granted," she said.

Liew said the Society of Hope was formed three years ago to assist the needy, such as those in Paitan where the people are facing very poor living condition.

Towards this end, she said Hope had opened four centres in Lido, Dah Yeh Villa, Luyang and Kepayan Ridge where people could drop things like foodstuff or anything, which can be used by the poor people.

Later, Wan Azizah on behalf of Hope presented a RM10,000 contribution to Sky Community Berhad.

“I LIKE THIS ISSUE TO BE STUDIED BECAUSE I AM WORRIED THAT ISLAM WILL BE SEEN AS A TOOL THAT IS USED TO PRESSURE OTHER PEOPLE. I WANT ISLAM TO BE SEEN AS A RELIGION FOR ALL, A RELIGION THAT PRACTICE MODERATION.

Asri urges review of Islamic laws on banned words

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 15 — Influential cleric Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin(picture) has come out to ask all states to review their Islamic enactments that bar non-Muslims from using terms and words such as ‘Allah’, saying laws should be updated from time to time.

The former Perlis mufti defended Shah Alam MP Khalid Samad’s proposal for Selangor to review laws such as its Non-Islamic Religion Enactment 1988 (Control of Propagations Among Muslims) that has raised the ire of some Muslims.

“Yes, I feel the proposal should be considered as part of contemporary development. The requirements from the past and present are not the same at all,” Asri told The Malaysian Insider in an exclusive interview yesterday.

Khalid’s proposal came in the wake of the controversial High Court ruling last Dec 31 when the Catholic weekly Herald was given the constitutional right to use the word ‘Allah’ to describe the Christian God among the Catholic congregation to the consternation of Muslims who say its exclusive to them.

“If the Internal Security Act (ISA) can be reviewed, don’t tell me these others laws cannot be reviewed,” he said, pointing out there are many words and phrases that have been barred from usage by non-Muslims.

Ten of Malaysia’s 13 states have banned non-Muslims from using up to 35 Arabic terms including the word ‘Allah’, ‘solat’ or prayers and even ‘masjid’ or mosque.

“How can we propagate our religion to others if we stop them (non-Muslims) from using certain words,” he asked.

Asri said the government should issue clear guidelines on such usage rather than rely on enactments.

“For example, the words masjid and rasul (prophet) can be used in the proper context... so don’t tell me we will take action against them, or arrest them for using the word ‘Allah’.

“Let us have discussions and do studies, maybe we can come to a conclusion to review or keep the word exclusive,” said the cleric who is facing a charge by the Selangor Islamic Affairs Department (Jais) for preaching without obtaining the necessary accreditation.

Asri, who was the country’s youngest mufti when he was appointed in 2006 in Perlis until he resigned two years later, lamented that such proposals have been dismissed without even a chance to be considered.

“I like this issue to be studied because I am worried that Islam will be seen as a tool that is used to pressure other people. I want Islam to be seen as a religion for all, a religion that practice moderation.

“In fact in states like Selangor and Johor, the state anthems use the word ‘Allah’, the police crest has the word ‘Allah’ just like the Royal Navy. They all have non-Muslim personnel so how does it work then.

“That is why we need to redefine the words that can be used or cannot be used by taking into account contemporary needs,” he added.

In Selangor, non-Muslims are barred from using 25 words either orally or in writing according to the Non-Islamic Religion Enactment 1988 (Control of Propagations Among Muslims). Among the words are Allah, Firman Allah (Allah’s decree), solat (daily prayers), Rasul (prophet), mubaligh (missionary), mufti, iman (faith), Kaabah (the Holy cubicle), Qiblat (direction in which the Muslims pray), and Haji (Muslims who have done his pilgrimage),

Selangor has also banned non-Muslims from using 10 other terms such as subhanallah, insya-Allah, astaghfirullahlah, masya-Allah and Allahuakbar orally or in writing. Those found guilty of using such terms can be fined up to RM3,000 or jailed for up to two years, or both.

Similar enactments are found in nine other states but not used in Sabah, Sarawak, Penang and the Federal Territory. Malacca, which does not have a sultan, has banned more words and phrases than most states.

The Selangor Islamic Affairs Council (Mais) deputy secretary Abdul Halem Hapiz Salihin had said the controversial ‘Allah’ ruling is against the Non-Islamic Religion Enactment 1988 (Control of Propagations Among Muslims).

But Khalid had recommended that all religious laws banning such words or terms should be reviewed as they are outdated, bringing him into open dispute with Kulim Bandar Baharu MP Zulkifli Noordin

Zulkifli, who is from PKR, lodged a police report against Khalid, saying the PAS Shah Alam division chief should be investigated under the Sedition Act for being seditious, insulting and affecting racial harmony.

Khalid sought an audience with the Sultan of Selangor, who is the head of religion, and was advised to offer his opinion through proper channels if he wanted a review of such laws.

Asri said the government should take the initiative to review the state laws. The federal government has no jurisdiction over religious laws which are under the purview of the states.

“I feel the government should remember that the issue should not be monopolised by the conservatives or traditionalists who want to maintain their position in society. Instead, they should get opinions from everybody if they want to encourage the 1Malaysia concept

“The government should invite moderate ulamas and not the conservatives. In this regard, I would like to commend Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi who invited everyone to give their views,” Asri said, referring to a recent Institute of Islamic Understanding discussion on the ‘Allah’ issue which involved politicians from Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat.

DO YOU WANT TO KNOW WHY? DEEP IN THE HEART OF MOST EAST MALAYSIANS, WE TRULY BELIEVE IN TOLERANCE. WE BELIEVE IN THE IDEALS OF MALAYSIA.

comment As an East Malaysian, I am neither surprised nor angry about Malay/Muslims being up in arms over the 'Allah' High Court ruling.

It was to be expected, really.

What does anger me is getting comments from West Malaysian Christians that it is 'silly' for Christians to lobby to use the word 'Allah'.

One rather un-enlightened Christian said that "Allah is also a word used to describe one particular god in a pagan religion...so for Christians to use 'Allah' is strange and silly."

The whole 'Allah' debacle highlights a bigger, more endemic problem in the Malaysian, or should I say West Malaysian mentality: General ignorance of how the 'others' or 'lain-lain' live.

It seems very hard for most West Malaysians to understand that:

Not all bumiputeras are Malay.

Not all bumiputeras are Muslim.

It isn't just West Malaysian Muslims who have a very limited worldview but Christians as well.

They don't understand that in East Malaysia, with its high population of indigenous Christians, Bahasa Malaysia is used in services.

Most of these Sabahan and Sarawakian Christians have spent their whole lives thinking, praying and referring to their God as Allah Bapa (Father God).

And now the government says they can't. That only Muslims can use the word 'Allah' when that isn't true in other countries.

Look at Indonesia, the country with the largest Muslim population in the world, which allows the printing and dissemination of bibles in Bahasa Indonesia that refer to God not as 'Tuhan' but as 'Allah'.

The Indonesian Muslims don't worry that their brethren will be 'confused' by these bibles. So why is our Home Ministry and all these religious groups up in arms?

The answer to that is politics. Religion is, unfortunately, something as mixed up with politics as is race. Political parties unabashedly use religion as a tool to win debates, with UMNO often accused of trying to 'out-Islam' PAS.

Religion is not a private matter in this country and is, instead, aired like so much dirty laundry. What other Southeast Asian country has officially sanctioned civilian peeping Toms who consider it their civic duty to weed out fornication?

Malay is our language, too

Despite the many varied ethnicities in Sabah, they have managed to get along without bloodshed or May 13-like incidents.

How have we managed it when West Malaysia's three main races mostly give each other a wide berth? It's called tolerance, people.

All Sabahans speak a slightly modified version of Malay with the funny little suffix 'bah' tagged behind a lot of words or sentences.

In rural areas, this heavily-accented version of Malay is the only means for most people to communicate with each other. They speak, think, dream and yes, even pray in the language.

Sabahan Michelle Quek asks: "Is it more important to recognise that some Muslims lay claim to the word as being exclusive to their faith, or recognise that a practical need for the word exists for East Malaysian Christians?"

Her question embodies the difficult balancing act that Malaysia has in attempting to address the needs of its varied peoples as well as the gulf between East and West Malaysia.

Kavin Ch'ng, who is married to a Sabahan says that locally, for many generations, Malay-speaking Christians have always referred to Allah and Tuhan in the same breath.

"Why only now does the government kick up such a fuss?" he asks. What is important, Ch'ng says, is mutual respect.

"I think there is a way to co-exist - if only our government can actually wrap its head around the concept of context."

Sarawakian El'Bornean finds it disturbing that West Malaysians now want to dictate how one's personal faith is practiced.

"The true Malaysians are here in Sabah and Sarawak," he says, citing examples of his Muslim friends who have no qualms sitting with friends in non-halal stores and visiting churches.

Despite being surrounded by Christians, East Malaysian Muslims do not consider their faith easily shaken, he asserts.

Sabahan Dusun Zara Kahan has a humorous, if facetious, solution.

"If (some) Muslims insist on ownership of the term 'Allah' then Christians must do the same with the term 'Tuhan'. Do you know how many Hari Raya songs will be in jeopardy? End of issue!"

No, we don't want to convert you

In West Malaysia, technically Christian worship services in Malay are illegal. But Sabahan and Sarawakian students ask for them anyway.

Many of these Malay-speaking East Malaysians feel uncomfortable attending worship services in English because the terms are unfamiliar. Muslims often cite the 99 names of Allah and for Christians in East Malaysia as well as Lebanon and Syria, Allah is their name for God.

All this talk about 'confusion' is really the product of West Malaysians not mixing with their East Malaysian brethren.

If you visit the Dusuns in Ranau, you could well meet locals as fair as highland Chinese with slanted eyes who would greet you with the traditional Muslim salam.

Wander into an East Malaysian Chinese coffee shop and you would see tanned, Malay-looking locals happily digging into char siew or other pork dishes

In East Malaysia, you can't easily tell what faith someone professes or what race his forefathers were just by looking.

This is very disturbing to the West Malaysian psyche. I have met West Malaysians who get very agitated when I refuse to tell them either what religion I profess or what race I am.

They don't know what to do with me because they can't categorise me. I don't fit into their safe little boxes which decide how they will treat me.

What annoys me as well is this West Malaysian paranoia that Christians have a secret ongoing campaign to convert Muslims on the sly.

Let us be honest. If converting Muslims to Christianity was as easy as pouring holy water into your drinking water or putting the word 'Allah' in all available religious literature, the Pope would have sanctioned it years ago.

Christians don't get 'brownie points' by forcibly converting unwilling Muslims.

I suppose all the Malay-looking Christian East Malaysians really confuse the locals to the point they rabidly proclaim that churches are succeeding in their nefarious campaign to take over Muslim souls.

In East Malaysia, Christians and Muslims come in various sizes, shapes and colours. Even huge extended families often have different religions, sometimes staying under one roof.

It is not unusual for an East Malaysian to have not just Christian, but Buddhist, Muslim and animist relatives. A friend of mine says it is a convenient excuse to celebrate the many public holidays with more gusto.

When told that someone is marrying a person of another race, the common reaction is: "Oh, your kids will be cute!" No heated discussion about traditions or religious differences because the unspoken assumption is that the couple will work them out.

Because they do.

Be Malaysia, not 1Malaysia

A well-known comedian talked about the recent Al-Islam undercover foray into churches. Its so-called investigative journalists entered churches on false premises and desecrated the communion wafer.

Did the Christians protest? asked the comedian. Did they declare bloody war? Did they have angry sermons and plan noisy demonstrations outside churches on Sunday?

No. What did the Christians say? "Forgive them-lor. Pray for them-lor."

The comedian mused that the incident was actually excellent public relations for the church.

Despite our annoyance with West Malaysian intolerance, do you see East Malaysians picketing?

We gripe, we grumble, we send politely worded statements. Yet we still believe in the Malaysia that our Tourism Ministry tries to sell, but which seems to be a myth in West Malaysia.

Do you want to know why? Deep in the heart of most East Malaysians, we truly believe in tolerance. We believe in the ideals of Malaysia.

We don't have to give 'muhibbah' a name because we live it. Since 1963, we have lived as Malaysians, believing in true tolerance and that race or religion matters little.

We truly do believe that West Malaysians can and should get over us using 'Allah' to worship God. Isn't Allah the God of all mankind? Isn't your Malaysia our Malaysia too?

Erna Mahyuni, a Sabahan, is a Malaysiakini team member.

MUZAKARAH PAKAR BERSETUJU BAHAWA PENGGUNAAN KALIMAH ALLAH SEBAGAI TERJEMAHAN ATAU GANTI NAMA KEPADA "GOD" ADALAH TIDAK TEPAT

Muzakarah Pakar Setuju Kalimah Allah Sebagai Terjemahan Kepada God Tidak Tepat

KUALA LUMPUR, 21 Jan (Bernama) -- Muzakarah Pakar, yang disertai tujuh ilmuwan Islam, anjuran Institut Kefahaman Islam Malaysia (IKIM) Khamis bersetuju bahawa penggunaan kalimah Allah sebagai terjemahan atau ganti nama kepada "God" adalah tidak tepat.

Pengerusi IKIM Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi berkata muzakarah itu merumuskan bahawa terjemahan kalimah Allah sebagai "God" juga menyalahi hakikat sebenar kerana bercanggah dengan konsep Tuhan yang dianjurkan oleh agama Islam di Malaysia.

"Dalam perbincangan ini, kita semua setuju bahawasanya kita perlu menghormati dan menjunjung Perlembagaan Malaysia yang memberikan kebebasan beragama diteruskan dalam suasana aman dan harmoni," katanya pada sidang akhbar selepas muzakarah itu.

Tujuh pakar itu ialah Prof Madya Dr Kamar Oniah Kamaruzzaman dari Jabatan Usuluddin dan Perbandingan Agama, Universiti Islam Antarabangsa; Penasihat Agama kepada Perdana Menteri Datuk Dr Abdullah Md Zin; Presiden PAS Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang;  anggota Majlis Pimpinan Pusat Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Dr Mohd Nur Manuty; bekas Mufti Perlis Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin; Pengarah Pusat Kajian Ekonomi dan Kemasyarakatan IKIM Dr Mohd Sani Badron dan Felo Pusat Kajian Syariah, Undang-Undang dan Politik IKIM Md Asham Ahmad.

Muzakarah bertajuk "Terjemahan God Sebagai Allah: Mengenalpasti Punca Permasalahan dan Penyelesaiannya" berlangsung selama lapan jam dari pukul 8.30 pagi, dipengerusikan Ketua Pengarah IKIM Datuk Nik Mustapha Nik Hassan.

Abdullah berkata muzakarah itu berjaya mencapai matlamat penganjurannya iaitu mengenal pasti punca dan penjelasan latar belakang permasalahan daripada perspektif agama, bahasa, sosial dan undang-undang.

"Muzakarah ini juga dapat menegaskan kefahaman dan konteks penggunaan Allah dalam Al-Quran, memurnikan tafsiran ke atas sumber-sumber hukum Islam berkaitan kebenaran penggunaan kalimah Allah oleh agama dan budaya selain Islam dan membentuk kesatuan fikiran di kalangan tokoh agama serta pemimpin umat Islam," katanya.

Abdullah berkata pendirian muzakarah itu akan dibawa kepada perhatian kerajaan dan akan dibincangkan dalam siri muzakarah akan datang bertajuk "Mengurus Krisis Antara Agama" anjuran IKIM pada 25 Jan ini.

Beliau berkata muzakarah yang membabitkan semua pemimpin agama serta Majlis Perundingan Malaysia Agama Buddha, Kristian, Hindu, Sikh dan Tao (MCCBCHST) bertujuan mengenalpasti krisis, jalan penyelesaian dan mencari persefahaman untuk keharmonian semua kaum di negara ini.

Abdullah berkata IKIM berharap agar semua penganut agama menghormati batas-batas agama masing-masing agar tidak berlaku lagi kekecohan seperti yang berlaku pada masa ini.

"SEKIRANYA SURAU, MASJID MAHUPUN GEREJA, KUIL DAN TOKONG DIMUSNAHKAN SECARA BERTERUSAN BERPUNCA DARIPADA PERBUATAN KHIANAT SEGELINTIR PIHAK YANG TIDAK BERTANGGUNGJAWAB, IA SECARA TIDAK LANGSUNG AKAN MENJEJASKAN KREDIBILITI SISTEM PERUNDANGAN NEGARA,"

Rais: Kerajaan Pandang Serius Perbuatan Khianat Bakar Tempat Ibadat

KUALA KLAWANG, 21 Jan (Bernama) -- Kerajaan memandang serius perbuatan khianat pihak tidak bertanggungjawab membakar atau merosakkan tempat ibadat dan tindakan tegas perlu diambil terhadap mereka bagi membendung perkara itu daripada berlaku.

Menteri Penerangan Komunikasi dan Kebudayaan Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim berkata perbuatan sedemikian tidak boleh dibiarkan kerana ia akan menjuruskan kepada persekitaran yang kucar-kacir.

"Sekiranya surau, masjid mahupun gereja, kuil dan tokong dimusnahkan secara berterusan berpunca daripada perbuatan khianat segelintir pihak yang tidak bertanggungjawab, ia secara tidak langsung akan menjejaskan kredibiliti sistem perundangan negara," katanya kepada pemberita di sini, Khamis.

Rais yang juga anggota Parlimen Jelebu berkata demikian selepas majlis taklimat pindaan perlembagaan Umno yang disampaikan oleh Setiausaha Kerja Umno pusat Datuk Ab Rauf Yusoh kepada anggota jawatankuasa Umno Bahagian Jelebu di Dewan Budaya, Simpang Pertang, dekat sini.

Beliau mengulas kejadian dua buah surau di Muar, Johor yang mengalami kebakaran kecil awal pagi ini dipercayai akibat perbuatan khianat.

Sehubungan itu, Rais meminta Menteri Dalam Negeri Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein agar terus bersikap tegas dalam menangani masalah ini.

"Perbuatan khianat ke atas tempat ibadat ini merupakan satu kancah sosial yang tidak seharusnya diteruskan oleh masyarakat di negara ini yang secara jelas akan memecah-belahkan perpaduan," katanya.

Di KUALA LUMPUR, Pengerusi Pemuda Barisan Nasional (BN) Khairy Jamaluddin berharap rakyat bertenang dan tidak terbawa-bawa dengan emosi atau menyumbang kepada spekulasi serta khabar angin, dan memberi kepercayaan kepada pihak polis menjalankan siasatan.

"Cukuplah dengan segala pembakaran, pemusnahan dan vandalisme ke atas rumah ibadat. Sudah tiba masanya kemelut ini, serta punca-puncanya, diselesaikan demi keselamatan dan keamanan negara," katanya dalam satu kenyataan.

DUA BERADIK DAN BAPA SAUDARA MEREKA ANTARA LAPAN LELAKI YANG DITAHAN BERHUBUNG KES PEMBAKARAN GEREJA METRO TABERNACLE AG DI DESA MELAWATI, WANGSA MAJU

Dua Beradik Antara Lapan Ditahan Berhubung Kes Kebakaran Gereja

Dua beradik dan bapa saudara mereka antara lapan lelaki yang ditahan berhubung kes pembakaran gereja Metro Tabernacle Ag di Desa Melawati, Wangsa Maju di sini, baru-baru ini.

"Lelaki berusia 25 tahun itu ditahan pukul 3.30 petang, ketika menerima rawatan di hospital tersebut berikutan kecederaan di bahagian dada dan tangannya akibat melecur,"

"Mereka yang ditahan adalah dua beradik yang berumur 24 dan 25 tahun, seorang lagi bapa saudara kepada adik beradik tersebut yang berumur 26 tahun, manakala lima lagi adalah kawan mereka.

"Dengan penahanan kesemua mereka itu, kita percaya kes kebakaran gereja di Desa Melawati selesai dan kita sedang menjalankan siasatan rapi bagi membolehkan mereka yang terlibat didakwa di mahkamah,"

"Kesemua mereka bekerja dengan syarikat swasta antaranya sebagai kerani, penghantar surat dan kerja pejabat.

"Mereka kini ditahan reman selama tujuh hari mulai hari ini dan kes disiasat di bawah Seksyen 436 Kanun Keseksaan yang boleh membawa hukuman maksimum 20 tahun penjara,"

"Kita minta orang ramai bersabar dan memberi peluang pada polis untuk menjalankan siasatan terperinci bagi membolehkan kita menghantar kertas siasatan kepada Peguam Negara untuk tindakan lanjut.

"Jangan cuba kaitkan kumpulan yang ditahan dengan pembakaran gereja-gereja lain,"

 Mohd Bakri juga turut menegaskan kepada orang ramai agar tidak mengambil tindakan sama dengan melakukan tindakan yang boleh menjejeskan ketenteraman negara, kaum dan agama.

SEMUA PIHAK DI MINTA BERTENANG BERHUBUNG ISU PENGGUNAAN KALIMAH ALLAH KERANA PERKARA ITU SEDANG DALAM PROSES MAHKAMAH DAN MASIH BELUM DIPUTUSKAN.

Perbincangan Antara Kumpulan Agama Perlu Untuk Capai Keharmonian - Rais

KUALA LUMPUR, 19 Jan (Bernama) -- Menteri Penerangan Komunikasi dan Kebudayaan Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim hari ini menegaskan perbincangan antara kumpulan-kumpulan agama perlu dilakukan dalam mencapai keharmonian negara.

"Yang penting sekarang bagi kumpulan masyarakat kita di Malaysia ialah mengadakan perbincangan  persahabatan dan mesti berlunaskan antara Islam, Kristian, Hindu dan lain-lain. Kita bukan nak masuk  dalam agama itu, cuma yang penting kita memahami kebudayaan agama itu. Itu yang penting.

"Saya menganggap bahawa perbincangan dan mengenal budaya antara satu dengan lain termasuklah agama... inilah yang membawa keharmonian yang lebih nyata. Kalau tidak, kita sentiasa tergolong dalam prasangka atau prejudis," katanya.

Rais berkata demikian kepada pemberita selepas menerima kunjungan Timbalan Ketua Menteri 1 Sarawak Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam, yang juga Menteri Pelancongan dan Warisan Sarawak, di pejabatnya di Bangunan Sultan Abdul Samad di sini.

Rais meminta semua pihak bertenang berhubung isu penggunaan kalimah Allah kerana perkara itu sedang dalam proses mahkamah dan masih belum diputuskan.

"Saya yakin mahkamah akan membuat keputusan yang sejagat, yang universal (menyeluruh) yang boleh diterima pakai oleh semuanya. Tetapi usaha untuk mengharmoniskan kaum itu, mesti kita jalankan dan bukan hanya menyerahkan kepada mahkamah sahaja," kata Rais.

USIA KECEWA KENYATAAN NAZRI AZIZ

USIA kecewa kenyataan Nazri Aziz

KOTA KINABALU 18 Jan. - Pertubuhan Islam Seluruh Sabah (USIA) menyifatkan kenyataan Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Aziz bahawa penganut Kristian boleh menggunakan kalimah Allah di Sabah dan Sarawak sebagai tidak mencerminkan aspirasi umat Islam di negeri ini.

Sambil mengaku kecewa, Setiausaha Agung USIA, Datuk Abdullah Hussin menegaskan, kenyataan menteri itu juga tidak mewakili suara majoriti umat Islam di Sabah

"Lebih menyedihkan, kenyataan itu juga dibuat tanpa berbincang dengan pemimpin Islam di Sabah.

"Kita tidak bersetuju dengan kenyataan (Mohamed Nazri) itu," katanya pada sidang akhbar di sini hari ini.

Minggu lalu Mohamed Nazri berkata, penganut Kristian di Sabah dan Sarawak dibenar menggunakan kalimah Allah dalam upacara sembahyang dan keagamaan kerana secara tradisinya ia telah diamalkan sejak dahulu lagi.

Langkah itu juga mengambil kira kebiasaan penduduk Islam di kedua-dua negeri berkenaan terhadap amalan penganut Kristian itu.

Mohamed Nazri dilaporkan berkata demikian dalam satu wawancara eksklusif dengan lima wartawan dari Borneo Post, Utusan Borneo dan Oriental Daily di pejabatnya di Putrajaya minggu lalu.

Abdullah berkata, maklumat yang diterima daripada akar umbi USIA jelas menyatakan kekecewaan dengan kenyataan Mohamed Nazri tersebut.

Kata Abdullah, pertubuhan itu tetap berpegang teguh dengan pendiriannya bahawa kalimah Allah tidak boleh digunakan oleh bukan Islam dan ia khusus untuk orang Islam sahaja.

Sehubungan itu beliau berharap mana-mana pihak yang ingin mengeluarkan kenyataan supaya memahami isu sebenar bagi mengelak kekeliruan.

''Kerajaan telah mempertanggungjawabkan Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri, Datuk Jamil Khir Baharom untuk tujuan itu.

''Justeru kita perlu memberi kepercayaan kepada beliau (Jamil Khir Baharom) untuk menanganinya tanpa mengeluarkan sebarang kenyataan yang boleh mengelirukan umat Islam," tegasnya.

Menurut Abdullah, walaupun Sabah dan Sarawak tidak mempunyai enakmen yang melarang agama lain menggunakan kalimah Allah tetapi ia bukan alasan untuk menggunakan kalimah suci sewenang-wenangnya.

Beliau menambah, USIA akan menghantar wakil untuk menyertai muzakarah anjuran Institut Kefahaman Islam Malaysia (IKIM) pada 21 Januari ini di Kuala Lumpur bagi menyatakan pandangan dan maklum balas mengenai penggunaan kalimah Allah.