Allah doesn’t like this…
By Amde Sidik
Round one for Christians.
Will round two for Muslims?
I hate to be included in the race just because I’m a Muslim it doesn’t mean I agree with it.
Who is my wakil to speak on my behalf?
I couldn’t remember much nor have I heard in the past if any of the Peninsula’s (Semanajung or Malaya) based ethnic groups ever used word “Allah” when referring to God. Thus no great surprise when some Muslims from this part of the country sprung like bullet when they heard non-Muslims from Malaysia Borneo saying it. For the first time? After fifty odd years? They didn’t realise after all that Christians or non-Christians a like (besides Muslims) from Malaysia Borneo refer their God as Allah too.
How were we with it then for the last hundreds years?
The hooha-hooha about the word Allah started in Peninsular where the people there never used it, while the irony Malaysians in Borneo used it never even bother to care who owns it-who are most perturbed? Now the battle ground end up in Kuala Lumpur, plain funny!
Okay, much has been said about it.
We move on, lots more things that people from Peninsula aren’t familiar with aren’t just about word Allah. Briefly I give a typical background of Malaysian Borneo with regard to Islamic religion. Most of us, the Muslim today had our fore parents weren’t Muslims, like me, for instance as later as only three generations. My granddad’s parents were pagan looked after by Muslims’ family I therefore became Muslim today. I have many cousins who aren’t Muslims all over Borneo, yet I don’t remember if ever religion was an issue among us.
If there is an argument about faith whether we did it right or wrong I shall standby for any call to debate.
A few months ago I was in the Church as well at the Christian’s graveyard burying my late cousin.
In another scenario, even today a number of young people in Sabah who voluntarily embraced Islam, where in a family, some of the children or relatives take up Islam as their religion whilst their parents are Christian or some have no particular religion. They still live under one roof. The novelty though, the way I see it, its only fair and logical for children to look after their parents who are no longer working, in other words, the children’s turn to take care of their elderly parents.
More interestingly every Sunday, the children send their parents to Church because the parents choose to go, while at the same token the children go to the mosque. The parents constantly reminding their Children to be strictly follow their new faith that they voluntarily embraced. The children performed the Islamic ritual, praying or even attending religious classes, and doing like ordinary Muslims are doing and no quarrel in the house. And I must say this; I’m astounded with disgrace by the lackadaisical attitude by some of Islamic Religious officers in the State who in dispensing their duty are far more concerned about their overtime pays then their actual duty as religious officers. Again, relating to the former, I’m pretty sure if it happens in Peninsula the whole sky will fall down. Surely gloomy!
My opinion again is, all religion somehow started with simple beginning that was how Islam attracted mankind at its earlier period. It’s not religion that created misery; it’s the people- the Muslims so to speak. I agree with Dr Faisal Al Qasim in his recent article. In Malaysia, leave everything else to Muslims; I think we are no better than Pakistan, a failed nation.
Back to the issue of word Allah, at the country’s High Court of law, judgment had been made, okaying the use of world Allah, I already heard some people pitying the judge who laboured with the burden by putting forward justice first. But no, to some Muslims calling Allah confuses people or confuses all Muslims, which is which? That has been the reason of disallowing others to use word Allah.
Only this morning though from Sabah, the President of Council of Justices of Peace who is also the Chairman of Institute for Development Studies Sabah, Datuk Clarence Bongkos Malakun made a high profile statement, urging the Christians in particular Roman Catholic of the country or shall I say, asking fellow Christians to stay clear. Anyone connected to this affair should compromise; that there is a need to take stoke looking at the present situation and in the interest of national security and public order. To cut short, please Christians drop the word Allah let the Muslim brothers have exclusive right, after all Malakun said; we already won the first round at the court of law. He urged all must understand that Muslims brothers are angry because they feel that the word Allah is traditionally used in Malaysia refer to the Islamic concept of God.
To be frank I feel disgusted with such statement. No better than giving sweets to a three-year-old kid, I’m sure some people have other opinion but I think this is not a scholarly opinion, instead he should have explained why is there a different in the way we think here compare with some people in Peninsula with regard to this topic, and why being sulky? In all honestly nothing to compromise or pitying one another; to me behaving in this manner is only to be read that we Malaysians Borneo have no constructive opinion on our own to offer to the nation.
My view is our country is losing its luster in one-way or the other. The country is already losing credibility when talking about religious and ethnic tolerance, which I considered to be round three. Round one, on economic front, our nation is no longer a tiger as what it was called decades ago. Round two country’s administrations are marred by never-ending scandals from one to another, too many sudden deaths while under the custody of authorities, and too many controversial people missing in action.
Another classical example, where is the logic that jet fighter engines of Royal Malaysia Air Force shipped out of the country which cost million ringgits at the very nose of guardians of the nation; ended up in the other end of the world. The findings in the end is only blaming a lowly ranking airman, as if nothing serious ever happening. I would imagine a better lesson for them would be to suspend all the big brass from duties until all issues resolved. So too, the other day was with reference to Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission-MACC. PM should have suspended all the bosses connected with the case until issues resolved then only there is a fair chance that the country’s leaders regain people’s confidence. That’s what I called action. Today, so far, any action taken is no more than cosmetic repair, like, trying to rid a pimple on the face after eating too much ground peanuts.
Have a nice day!
31 Comments
1 Emmanuel wrote:
Hi En Amde, wonder if you remember me (CJ Classes, Klang).How are you doing?. I wish more outspoken brothers and sisters from Sabah and Sarawak join in this issue. There has been a dearth of voices from there heard here, giving the impression that this gross trampling upon of their basic rights is going down well with them:/
There is a larger picture here, and many fail to see it, unfortunately. When they finally do see it, it would be far too late.
2 Mike wrote:
its really sad for the christians. It’s like you have been calling your father ‘Abba’ through your entire life and by your forefathers and suddenly someone uses a strong arm and comes on to you and said “you can no longer call your father Abba because we are sensitive about it, call him some other name instead…” This is a very selfish and inhuman to a people who is peace loving and has not done any harm to anyone.
3 River Thames wrote:
written by RiverThames, January 12, 2010 11:11:39
SO plain and SO simple…………………….from Brother Sidik………………………..and, yet, our so called leaders, either cannot understand or do not wish to. WHAT A SHAME!!!!
May God Bless You, Sir.
4 Joe wrote:
How many Malaysians are thinking like you Sir. I wish there are millions-life can be very much interesting where human mind are used to the fullest.
Joe
5 Kathleen wrote:
Hi Amde,
Another nice article to share with you - you are one of those that I term as a real Muslim.
Maybe I should invite to to join my association Moral Uplifting Society which believes that there is only ONE GOD and ALL religions are real and true AND disciples of ALL religions are welcome to be members. In fact we display all the pictures of GOD of the diffirent religion in society’s building. This Moral Uplifting Society is quite famous in Kedah (among some Muslims) and in Johor (among some Muslims) - Interested to join??
regards,
Kathleen
6 PBosimin wrote:
Good morning Amde
Well-said…I humbly applaud.
I was in KL (when the chaos started) till yesterday and believe me you: I was paranoid walking in the streets…looking back and forth; on the lookout whether there’s anyone (using tudung, headscarf or songkok) trailing me…(I had a bad experience being mugged by a tudung-clad young, fair and beautiful girl (looks like an Iranian or Middle-eastern) in Bangkok last November) I felt like a weirdo…but this is the extend how insecure I was in KL. I took no chances attending mass last Sunday.
Now back on home turf (Sabah), being in the office with my Muslim colleagues and out on the streets; there’s this good feeling. Now, Sabah is where we call “Home Sweet Home”.
Thanks for sharing.
May God watch over all of us.
7 Saiful wrote:
The Moslems worship the true God who has been the God of the Ancient and New Testament.
They confess that “in order to be a good Moslems, you have to be a good Jew and a good Christian”, a statement of confessing to the truth of the other two religions.
The name of Allah was taking by the Moslems from the Christians who existed five centuries before the arrival of Islam. Arabs were mentioned in the book of Acts at the time of the Pentecost.
The existence of bad elements in any country or religion does not make that religion bad and hence does not make all Muslims bad or all Jews or Christians bad. People become bad when they do not follow the teaching of their religion.
Beauty and Truth is One. All religions reflect the beauty of God in a certain way and so does the Islam.
In the Semitic languages Vowels do not count. Consonants form the words. These consonants are not written because they are not important and they do make the word sick and ill.
So if we look at the name of Allah and the name of Elohim we will find the following:
Allah = L + H, Elohim = L+H+M (we will ignore the M and come back to it later).
In the Semitic languages, word roots are formed of three letters. It was found later on that these three letters were formed of two two-letter verbs.
A complete study was made by several scholars among which is Fr. Marmarji S.J. in Lebanon. L+H= LH (pronounced ‘lahh’) means “to him”. God, Allah or Yahweh is not the name of God, Allah and Yahweh.
God is not the name. He exists and no one knows his name. If we know His name then we will possess Him and understand Him, then He is not God the Omnipotent the Existent etc..
So instead we say “to Him” be the glory. “To Him” be the praise Look at the book of Revelation 5:13: Blessing and honor and glory and power be unto Him that sit upon the throne, and unto the Lamb forever and ever.
It is safe to say that instead of saying God you can say “To Him”Till our present day, Christians and Moslems replace the name of God with “Taala” (pronounced ‘Tah-ah-lah’) the excelsior, the most high.
Moses did not know the name of God even several hundred years after Abraham who is supposed to have known God and became the friend of God. Moses is from the descendents of Abraham, he is the leader and yet he did not know Him.
The story is known where Moses says what is your name so I may tell them. God said “Yehyeh Asher Yehyeh” that means be who it be. He may have said I be who I am, or it is not your business to know my name. God definitely did not reveal his name to Moses.
Moses used the verb to be in order to denote God, hence the word “existent” came to play a role. You have to know that the word of God when uttered does not go out in vain, it has to produce something.
The “existent” has a triple chronological dimension in the Semitic language. It means he who was, he who is and he who will be. Revelation again mentions these three dimensions.
The name got deformed to Adonai
Knowing a name or naming something means you are in command. Adam names of all the animals (Gen 2:19) because God gave him power over all of them (Gen. 1:26).
The father always gives the name to his sons indicating the power over children. God changes the names of Abraham and Sarah. He tells him to call his son Isaac.Remember also: “You are my son, today I have called you.”.
When the name of the Lord is called. You are calling the person of the Lord.
That’s why it is impossible for man to grasp God and understand Him. He is out of our reach.
Knowing His real name is grasping Him.On the other hand, we use the names God, Theos, Allah, Elohim to denote an entity that is ‘ “To Him” be the glory’.
A name is not enough to denote His power and glory etc..Elohim is the Hebrew name for Allah with the exception that it has an “M” at the end. “M” indicates the plural.
And plural could indicate one of the following:
a- plural of respect. Addressing a person with plural denotes respect. A king, a prince, a president are all addressed in president. You find that in Arabic, French, Italian etc.. (It is self explanatory).
b- plural of plurality of Gods despite the belief in one God, the people of Israel continued to worship several gods. They worshiped the golden calf (Exodus 32:4), the Baal and Ashtaroth (Judges 2:13) others “the foolish” said there is no God.
That’s why they were worshiping the gods, the “elohim” not the “eloh”. It is amazing how the sons of Abraham who is the worshiper of the One God have stayed polytheist for a long time.
Finally, the name of the one and only God, became the name of the plural of gods. Theologically now: “Elohim” is the name of the Only and One God.c- Plurality of the persons (out of revelation) The Lord appeared in the form of three men and Abram addressed them as a singular.(Gen 18).
Since the Bible is a revelation, then we have the knowledge of the person of God even through the layers of the Old Testament.
Our conflict on what God, Allah, Yahweh should be called in a futile conflict that revolves around something superficial that would never define the name of God which is the nature of God.
No language can say that they have the true name of the Entity that created the world.
All what we can do is say “To Him” be the glory. Amen
Warmest regards,
Saiful
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device via Vodafone-Celcom Mobile.
8 Charles Gau wrote:
Share my view.
This is not the Allah issue but the politic.
As i remember this issue started since 80s during mahathir time and he was smart and power enough to solved/handled it outside the court. He knew the court and federal constitution could not solve this issue furthermore UMNO were in a great power.
He managed to call malays to unite under the ”Orang Melayu”. Since he can control the government by his racist ideology and not necessary for him seriously to bring up the religion issue to call the malays.
UMNO used the word of “Orang Malayu” and “Kita Islam” in other hand warned other parties do the same. These racist gained on their politics mileage and we can see the current result. Failure as multi ethnics and religion country.
Now B.N lack of malays supporters because the malay feed up with the UMNO racist ideology and found out most of the poor people in malaysia still bumis/malays (Sabah/Sarawak) after 5 decades of independent.
The malay UMNOs supporters get used by the UMNO member for wealth in last few decades.
The remaining point to get back the malays support is only by religion. Hope the malay will unite in the name of Islam.
Look at the first statement from malays leaders after the court allowing Allah for christian, they support each other to gain malays confident but second day all the statement/everything change because they found the religion issue also failed to unite/gain malays supports.
Suddenly the B.N act as a hero to solve the issue on behalf of the people. By fact, the B.N plant this racist and started the Allah issue but the wise malays can see the politic agenda behind the scene.
Only good government policies will solve current issues not only the Allah for better malaysian people future.
God Bless Malaysia
By Sarawak IP
Charles Gau
9 Faridah Malai wrote:
I think these people have been attacked by some mad disease and virus. Things have changed so much and sad to say not in the right direction. I just hope such disease will not affect the real sabahans especially the muslims here who have been so tolerent, open minded and the model of national integration in practice. Isn’t there any worst and dangerous issues we should be focussing at instead of the word ‘Allah’?
10 FM wrote:
I could not agree more. What a fuss! Just how pathetic the malayans are! Come to Sabah and learn about harmony, integration and negara bangsa is! Even our kampung folks can teach and practice the educated malayans about 1Malaysia!
11 Rang Utan wrote:
Well described..I too have Muslims relatives. We have no problems with the word Allah. West Malaysians need to learn from East Malaysians the true meaning of harmony and religious tolerance.
Peace be with you.
12 RS wrote:
sdr Amde, just read ur article briillintly simple to follow. Just wish u’ve added: AMUN BISKITA ENDA PAHAM LAGI: TUBAL BANAR JUA!
Rahim Sidek
13 Edwin L wrote:
Thank you Mr Sidik, now I could see not only a better picture but larger as well
Thank you
Edwin L
14 Kelana wrote:
When we talk about races yes it consist of Chinese, Indian, Malay, Iban, Kadazan and bla bla..
But when we talk about religious it’s definitely refer to Muslim, Christian, Jew (Al-Kitab –So called by muslim) .The mixing of Malay Idea + Muslim Believes causing debate on which one to follow whereas Idea from Media more stronger than Ulamak (An expert in Islam), yet I still did not see any action from government to refer the issue to Fatwa Ulamak Malaysia.
Let’s rewind back which countries the religious comes from – All from Arab land. If they can share the same God, why can’t we?. I can say Syukur Alhamdulillah, you also believe that no other god except Allah.
To all Muslims brother let get back to 6 articles of faith. 3rd Articles: Belief in Revelations (book) of God. Muslims believe in the Revelations sent by Almighty God to His Prophets and Messengers including the Qur’an, the Torah, the Gospel, the Scrolls of Abraham and the Psalms of David.
And…of course we are referring to the same god.
15 Popuri wrote:
Mr. Sidik, I’m sure not all Muslims are fighting the petty war. But those particular Muslims are acting like barbarians, they would not listen to reason. Not from me, not from you, not from anyone. They have their own stand in this and there is nothing we can do about that. Their actions are endangering themselves, the Christians and also other innocence. We would’ve given up the rights to the word just to prevent any tragedy, even though we are not wrong. There are more important things than a single word. It would be a shame to lose life over such petty fight.
By the way, good article.
16 pengiran sabah wrote:
Ampun, Ampun munkan ampun Soltan Kedayan, AmDe, inda tah ku tahu kalau2 bisidia atu KELALA / kenal ALLAH kah inda ?, Kan mau berkelahi siapa punya patent right, PALUI benar eh. Jumpa pun belum dengan ALLAH. suruh mereka Zikir dulu banyak2 ……… baru boleh tau………siapa ALLAH?? KELALA ?? BENAR BAH ??? GUBANG YG MANA ???
17 pengiran Al - sabah wrote:
BANAR2 KAU KURAPAK, AKU PUN NYUKONG KAU ABEH. Bah mari tah kita beh, berkayuh kelaut mencari ALLAH Ta’ala, Jumpa liau Nayan dulu, minta ijin & minta kelupis Kedayan, kan bata berkayuh. Baha’au tau kelala kah inda siapa ALLAH Ta’ala yang banar2. Assalamualaikom, Ameen.
18 SH Cheah wrote:
Interesting and refreshing article. Keep it up.
19 Akmal Ariffin wrote:
hi amde,
actually, can u reintroduce yourself. i think u r that teacher who was playing bass at the cafe. R u? If so i’m sorry i didnt remember ur name.see ya.
akmal
20 Peter Marajin wrote:
Today the Malaysian authority urged not to compare Malaysia with Indonesia and the Middle East countries in the usage of the word “Allah” as the situation here is different. “You compare apples with apples and not apples with oranges”, said the Secretary of Foreign Affairs. But I just wonder if Islam as practiced in those countries is NOT the same Islam as practiced here.
21 Peter Marajin wrote:
Sorry, I mean a statement today by Home Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Mahmood Adam and not the Secretary of Foreign Affairs.
22 Amde Sidik wrote:
Yes Pete,
Incredible isn’t it? If I say the government is not competent I may sound too arrogant but when the government with such vast resources to look for ways and means to overcome little as this, which at the beginning a trivial matter can’t even to give rational answer, what else can we say?
This is where I want to hear the so-called religious scholars come out with views and knowledge. But are they all bunkgus by the government, they only do as told? No wonder we can’t even produced onions on our own yet plenty of professors of pertanian mending their departments at our universities.
The government spent so much sponsoring students to various religious schools including those to Al Azhar University? I pinpoint this issue because people like us who have no religious university background wouldn’t be appreciated to give religious views let alone accepted, and worst of all if you’re non Muslim, to talk about Islam sure fire long before you go to hell.
amde
23 Amde Sidik wrote:
Hi Emanuel
Sure I remember,the guy I found so helpful throughout my stay with the group. Got me a transport , and another gave me a T shirt. Its just unfortnate I coouldn’t spend much time with you people. But do call me if and whenever you come to Sabah.
Regards everyone-amde
24 roger balakan wrote:
Thanks for the very educating article. faham2 jah lah, orang malaya ni budu2 smua geng!!
25 RS wrote:
Next non-Muslims are banned from using Arabic (Malay therefore Muslim) Isa Yussof Yakub Jibril Adidin Awang Ghani Pengiran Rosni blah blah names…
RSidek
26 Carlitos wrote:
written by carlitos, January 12, 2010 23:10:39
I am a Sabahan and have similar background with Mr Sidiky as with so many others in Sabah, it is very strange for Sabahan and I am sure Sarawakian too because we do not see things as us against them when it comes to Muslim / non-muslim because our families are mixed. My datuk and nenek are christian and staying with my uncle/aunty and 2 cousins who are muslims.
Malayan Malays are wierd bunch at least from our eyes. They are so blinded by hatred that they do not see that the people who actually allowed this to happen is the same criminals who are curently running the country.
Ask yourself especially if you are a Malayan Muslim. I say Malayan because in Sabah and Sarawak the Muslim here see it as clear as daylight. We always gather at my uncle home to visit our grandparents every other weekend. Most of the time there will be at least 3-4 of by father brothers/sisters and their families will be there too and it is never any argument about religion. Sometimes some of our relatives who Keadilan and PBS also come. Yes not just mixed religion but also mixed politics as well. Cari makan bah, siapa saja manang, sinang dapat projik.
This is what my UMNO politician uncle say last Sunday. My uncle is not Malay by the way but he is a Muslim.
This is what he say during the family gathering on the court result.
He say. Which party is powerful enough to determine the result of the Malaysian court of law? Who have the influence to get Anwar guilty of sodomy although he is not guilty?
Yes, That powerful party is the same party that let the judge rule that Allah can be used by Christian. Why? Because they know how the Malays in Peninsular will react. He is confident next GE, BN will win at big in Malaya. Sabah dalam tangan.
Well we shall see if Malays in Malaya is as stupid as what the Barisan Najis believe.
27 amde wrote:
Asslkm Ngian (Pengiran Sabah) nice of you menyubuk blog ani. Inda ku lagi talajau bajumpa biskita hari itu.
Mun ka KK talipon tah. I’m sure you remember nenek Nayan, I’m touched when you mentioned, it means you read. You’ve more interesting stories to tell compare with me. We must meet
Your cousin-amde you always called abeh ,TQ
28 amde wrote:
Aslkm., Sdr Saiful-Thank you very much for assiting Emieldza the way she wanted to be arranged.
I love your writing, Emieldza did tell me about you educational background. I’m impressed. You’re one of those who could explain in more details if not in technical details about this word “Allah” debcale. I’ll post your writing to the main page later with the idea so that people could see and read.
Keep in touch-amde
29 mak jun yeen wrote:
Dear Saiful.
Thank you for educating the public Muslim and Nazerenes.
I have similarly presented the fatcs to many, only those who beat the heart of hate and ignorance wish not to listen.
Anyway, dear Amde. Do not fall prey to the propaganda that the word “Allah” did not have a long tradition in the Peninsula with regard to Nazerenian worship.
Almost 200 years ago, Munsyi Abdullah was hired by Rev Thompson to translate the Bible to Bahasa. The word to denote “Lord” was translated by Munshi to “Allah”.
The Munshi had a long argument with Thompson on the disputed “anak Allah” for Jesus , despite his own theological objections he nevertheless translate as he knew the Malay language best leaving his beliefs aside.
The Munshi till his very end held Thompson in high regard and considers him a good friend. The Munshi died a Muslim.
The Baba Malay (peranakkan) bible was used in Anglican and presbyterian churches in Penang Malacca and Singapore for as long as the Babas spoke patois Malay and since at least 1850s.
The word “Allah” was used in all of them.
The Catholic Church in the penisular has used “Allah” in all its Bahasa Malaysia publications since the 60s.
We must present the facts DO NOT FALL PREY to Goebbellian trap.
30 amde wrote:
Mak Jun Yeen
Very kind of you participating in this little humble blog of mine. I’m happy for your input. It isn’t really correct to say that people in Peninsula are totaly ignorant. Malaysians in Borneo too, like me, except now days things begin creeping which in our eyes good for the nattion but people from here-Peninsula view it differently. What do we do with the gap? More Jabatan Perpaduan? wonder what these people are doing, when we were better off without it!
Regards-amde
31 EB Joeman wrote:
Mr Amde.. I read this post in the Daily Express today, and highlighted it in my FB Wall.. needless to say, yours is a voice the younger generation wants to hear.. not the ones forced down our throats by the bigboys.. Thank you very much, Sir..
and to all thinking readers, I salute you for your thoughts..
Your write ups have brightened my January 2010!
Peace & Best Wishes, Beverly