Guong
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 1 — When the next issue of The Herald, a local Catholic newspaper comes out on Jan 11, it will be missing an entire section in the National Language.
Two days ago, the Home Ministry ordered it to close down its Bahasa Malaysia section, for fear that Malaysian Muslims would become confused over the newspaper’s use of the word “Allah” to mean God outside of Islam. More
This issue have been long drag since 2007. Resulting a court action taken against the government which still on going yet the Home Ministry already took this matter according to their own 'verdict'. Stop using it or no more 'The Herald'. The sad part is, it is politically motivated. The Herald is just collateral damage.
Is it true that this word is exclusive only for the Muslim? Read this article if you want to know. Or you can watch this sermon conducted in Arabic. You might hear a familiar word in it.
But really, why does Malaysian Christian community seems to fight back over this issue to the extent on taking this matter into court? Why not just accept it and stop using that word? Honestly, it doesn't really bothers me as a Christian even though we've used that word for decades (way back before Malaysia even born). They want the word back? Fine, they can have it. It is such a trivial matter. I'm sure the leader of Malaysian Christian community share the same thought as I am.
I'm guessing it is because to remind our government about religious freedom in Malaysia. To remind them on the diversity of belief in Malaysia. To remind them that we are the one that have been tolerating them, not the other way around. To remind them not to push us to much. To remind them on the non-English speaking Christians in Sabah and Sarawak.
So, it's not a matter of weather we win or lose the case but as a reminder for them that we exist.
Oh..and Happy New Year 2009.
Is it true that this word is exclusive only for the Muslim? Read this article if you want to know. Or you can watch this sermon conducted in Arabic. You might hear a familiar word in it.
But really, why does Malaysian Christian community seems to fight back over this issue to the extent on taking this matter into court? Why not just accept it and stop using that word? Honestly, it doesn't really bothers me as a Christian even though we've used that word for decades (way back before Malaysia even born). They want the word back? Fine, they can have it. It is such a trivial matter. I'm sure the leader of Malaysian Christian community share the same thought as I am.
I'm guessing it is because to remind our government about religious freedom in Malaysia. To remind them on the diversity of belief in Malaysia. To remind them that we are the one that have been tolerating them, not the other way around. To remind them not to push us to much. To remind them on the non-English speaking Christians in Sabah and Sarawak.
So, it's not a matter of weather we win or lose the case but as a reminder for them that we exist.
Oh..and Happy New Year 2009.
.jpg)
No comments:
Post a Comment