Allah, God, Yahweh? What’s In A Name?
December 21, 2007
The BN government cannot stop creating religious controversies in the country. After 2 of BN’s Morons of Parliament suggested demolishing crosses in schools, a Catholic Publication is now facing problems with their printing permit renewal. Why?
The Herald, with a circulation of 12,000, has apparently ran into trouble with the authorities over the use of “Allah” in their publications. Malaysiakini has reported that “Allah” was used to refer to the term “God” in the Herald’s Bahasa Malaysia version. It also highlighted a previous issue when the government banned the Bible in the Iban language. Why? Because the term “God” was translated into “Allah Taala”. Lim Kit Siang has revealed that the one of the conditions for renewal was for the Herald to remove the Bahasa Malaysia section altogether. That’s discrimination on language use. Brought to you by our beloved BN government.
So what’s in a name? Judaism refers to God as Yahweh, Christianity refers to God as, God, ‘dia‘, ‘dieu‘ (each language would probably have their own translation for God), and Islam refers to God as Allah. All 3 religions started in the Middle East. Some scholars would say all 3 religions have different names for their God, but essentially, they have so many shared characteristics. So really, what’s in a name?
The government would probably say (they haven’t yet, but I’m waiting), using the term “Allah” in a Catholic BM publication could cause confusion, and corrupt the minds of Muslims. Same hair-brained idea that having crosses in schools is like preaching conversion to the Muslim children studying in those schools. They sincerely believe that Muslims are stupid people that cannot reason or think for themselves.
But we are all sensible Malaysians. We believe in the power of knowledge. We already know that the BN government is racist, and also insensitive to all religions in this country, including Islam (Islam Hadhari? Since when is Abdullah Badawi a prophet?). We also know that the religious extremists in BN make decisions without doing sufficient research, which they could have achieved with a quick 5 minute acquaintance with my good friend Google.
Read here and here for why it can be acceptable to use “Allah” to refer to “God”.
So after doing some research, what’s in a name? Not much, I would say. Different languages have their own references for God, and if Christian Arabs use “Allah” to refer to their God, then it’s just because of their geographical location and language preferences. So what should “God” be in Bahasa Malaysia? Should it be Tuhan or Allah? Bahasa Malaysia is such a rojak language anyway, only God knows what the right term should be. Maybe Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka would like to step in and advise the Herald on the appropriate usage?
So there you have it. Religious intolerance. Why BN does not deserve to be our government:
1. Demolishing of Hindu temples.
2. Denial to build a Buddhist statue in Kudat.
3. Call to destroy Christian crosses and statues in schools.
4. Silencing the voice of a religion by banning their publication.
5. Forcing people who do not believe in any God to fill in forms with their religion.
Elections are coming soon. Use your votes and choose your government wisely.
Other views you should read:
mr PM, don’t break my rice bowl (Lucia Lai)
Is It Really Just About The Terminology? (bobjots)
Update 22nd December 2007: First government response:
Johari: “Allah” For Muslims Only
You Might Find These Interesting
- Johari: “Allah” For Muslims Only
- Malaysians Suffering From Foot In Mouth Syndrome
- Top 5 Darndest Things Said In December 2007
- Morons of Parliament: Demolish Christian Statues, Destroy the Crosses
- Raised In Parliament: Demolish Christian Statues, Destroy the Crosses
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18 Responses to “Allah, God, Yahweh? What’s In A Name?”
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I raised similar points in my post, touching on the same subject, and related matters of failing statedom.
But you are absolutely correct - there is an increasing atmosphere of religious intolerance in this country, and the worst part is that it is, in some ways, state-sponsored.
December 21, 2007 at 3:28 pm
Hello there..
Calm down..
Please do not take this new fuss all too seriously. I’m a Muslim and I really feel that there is something funny going on about this issue. I’m just scared that BN is attempting to use this issue to split the Muslims and the Christians here in Malaysia, just like what they have done to HINDRAF (it was the Malays against the Indians then).
The best thing that we can do at the moment is to ignore this issue and concentrate on other important issues such as human rights and free & cleaner elections.
Malay Women in Malaysia Blog
Klaw: Hi Saidul, you could be right, or not. Normally, if BN decides to use this tactic, we would see a media blitz on the issue (the Malay vs. Indian issue was really played up for Hindraf, I agree). I have read none so far, so I will reserve my judgements on this. We’ll see what happens in the government-owned media the next few days, shall we?
December 21, 2007 at 3:50 pm
Saidul Shaari,
I dont agree with you that we should calm down and just claims that everything that happens from now to elections is an ” election gimmick”.
Will the Muslims be able to take all these insults by some political party, say in Australia, in the name of ” elections” and carry on with their daily chores and ” concentrate on a free and fair” elections.
Lets say they wanna insult the Prophet or label all Muslims as terrorist. Would you guys concentrate of the Aussie elections???
Klaw: To be fair, this situation with BN and the Herald does not come close to the seriousness of insulting one’s religion, but I get your point on speaking up.
December 21, 2007 at 4:59 pm
This religious intolerance of the government is unfortunately a clear reflection of the intellectual stupidity in the BN. It will not bring anything good to the country nor Islam except some political weight from the ethnic group singing the same song as this racist government. What will be next then ……. those with names Abraham, Joseph et al pls watch out ….. you may need to change bcos you have ’stolen’ those Muslim names Ibrahim, Yusoff, et at!! BN/UMNO — if you do not how to rule a multi-religious/racial/cultural country, better get down and let the capable ones rule you!! Rakyat —- why don’t we make this happen in the coming election??!!
December 21, 2007 at 5:17 pm
Hi,
Allah translated as God is too simplistic. Allah is The ‘The God’ not just simply any Tuhan. Ilah is Tuhan. So when Muslims say Allah, they don’t mean simply any God but The ‘The God’. Why don’t you seek explanation from someone who studies Arabic?
So many people make this mistake.
Non Muslim in Malaysia should just stick to using Tuhan.
Klaw: Yes, I am now aware of the differences of Ilah and Allah (albeit researched online without the help of anyone who studied Arabic except you). And you’ve got a great point too. Instead of using Allah, since its confusing, why not use Tuhan, since it’s a Bahasa Malaysia publication. Great point.
However, let me ask you your opinion on the use of the word “Allah” in a Catholic publication. Since you already alluded that “Allah” is in fact, an Arabic word that means “The God”, does it not mean that Christians speaking Arabic anywhere in the world could use the word “Allah” to mean “The God” as well?
Does Bahasa Malaysia provide a term for Christians to refer to “The God” instead of just “God”? “Itu Tuhan”? That’s ugly and sounds pretty disrespectful right? Perhaps the publication chose to use “Allah” because they wanted a more reverent and relevant term?
Anyway, the point of the post is how the government deals with issues like this (hint: intolerance). The message being sent is : Muslims are right, Non-Muslims are wrong. There doesn’t seem to be any place for negotiation. Do you want to live in such a country?
December 21, 2007 at 5:29 pm
As always, the government is attempting to solve the matter of ‘confusion’ from the wrong angle. The key word is ‘educate’! If ppl are so easily confused as they said, then ‘educate’ them, instead of censorship. I believe censorship is only a short term solution, usually a quick and patchy job which BN is very good at…eventually everything crumble at their feet…then start the finger pointing game. So, ‘educate’ the muslim that you think would be confused by the term ‘Allah’ that it not only mean “The God’ for follower of Islam, but also ‘The God’ for follower of Christ.
December 21, 2007 at 10:14 pm
Peace be upon to all,
I m those strongly condemned the 2 idiots on the subject on cross and statues in the christian school. They do not adhere the true teaching of Islam.
But now as former christian myself…….its unfair for Herald to use the Word Allah instead Tuhan because in arabic, Allah is the name of the God.
its an unique name…example the word the GOD, one can change it to GODS or GODDESS.
Islam strictly adhere monotheism not trinity or dualism.As such the word Tuhan or God is very loose.
Anyway not to tense up the matter, if herald or other christians are sincere enough to use Allah in malay version then I dare them to use Allah in the English Version.
If that can be done, then i personally will struggle for the usage of Allah in Malay language. For those whom interested, please mail me, i will send a book title “what is His name?” ipsi7@streamyx.com or krudin@pc.jaring.my This book will proof to you that Jesus himself used the word Allah. My christian friends please explain what is Allelu ya? No offence, i will only response to those who are professionals not barbarians. Thank You
May Allah save Malaysia
December 21, 2007 at 11:16 pm
ycg talked about education. sure… but the thing is do you think the majority muslim (the non UMNO) need to be educated? for all we know they might not object to the word ‘allah’ used by a christian publication. that’s why i always said the action of the government sometimes seemed like an insult to fellow muslims… like kenny pointed out, the government might think the word allah will corrupt and confuse muslims - that’s an insult, right? (i know one of my muslim friends said so).
December 21, 2007 at 11:27 pm
Hi all,
Thank you for sharing your views on this matter. To those commenters that left anti-islam and anti-christian comments that didn’t show up, please comment again when you are ready for a mature discussion.
ycg, lucia
I believe it to be hard for the government to educate, if the government officials do not bother educating themselves. The government sometimes underestimates their own people’s intelligence to think for themselves.
Kamarudin,
Is this the right source for ‘What Is His Name’? http://www.jamaat.net/name/nameintro.htm
Based on reading ‘What Is His Name’ at the source above, I think that the author’s assertion is that God’s name is Allah, and even the Christian Gospels translated into different versions preserved the word “Allah” in so many languages. So I would ask then, to anyone out there, why is there a problem with using “Allah” in Bahasa Malaysia?
Those of you that say, why not use tuhan, or just capitalize it to “Tuhan”, like how god in English is capitalized to “God”, I say to you: Bahasa Malaysia is NOT English. Should we indiscriminately apply rules to the Malay language that are applied to English?
Are there viewpoints out there that feels Malay (the language) belongs to Muslims only, therefore using “Allah” to refer to any other God besides the Islam God is wrong? Or are there viewpoints out there from Christians that use Malay as their first language that have always referred to their Christian God as “Allah”?
My point is, the use of a name, especially for “God” will never reach a conclusion, as everyone will weigh in with their opinions. If you do have such opinions, feel free to continue weighing in, but I would really rather focus on the reactions of the government on this issue.
Is censorship the answer? Or should we all just listen to Christians who speak Bahasa Malaysia as their first language? They have surely been around for decades, and have surely referred to “God” in BM as some word, so what is it? Why don’t we find out, then respect that version? If it’s Allah, then let it be Allah. If it’s Tuhan, then let it be Tuhan. Any helpers on this?
December 22, 2007 at 1:15 am
Ok seriously. This is too much. Why can’t we all live in acceptance of each other? Why must there be such extremist? Why must stupid dumbfucks be running in the goverment? Why does a particular stupid dumbfuck kept on falling asleep when he is supposed to make the Rakyat’s lives better?
Why? Why?
Questions that need answering.
December 22, 2007 at 6:16 am
Dear Kamaruddin
As a former Christian I’m sure you know the Ten Commandments in the Mosaic Law. I would like to focus on the commandment “Thou shalt not use the name of the Lord in vain”.
It’s a sad thing that the world today is desecrating God’s name. Uninformed Christians would utter the phrase “Oh my G**” or misuse His name in branding e.g. Thank G** It’s Friday (I think that’s why nowadays they’re using TGI Friday instead). It’s a norm for many Malay Muslims in Malaysia to make the exclamation “Ya All*h!” in surprise, shock or even in disgust of something. For example:
Lady A: Eh engkau dengar tak, so-and-so punya anak pompuan kena tangkap basah?
Lady B: Ya All*h!!!
So, my point is…if Malay Muslims can desecrate the name of the one God down to such low level, what wrong is there for a Catholic publication to glorify the name of Allah for the reading of Christians who speak Bahasa?
Peace be upon you, Kamaruddin.
December 22, 2007 at 9:44 am
As you can see, I’ll only use His name in full whenever the context of that sentence gives glory to His name. I am an informed Christian who respects the one and same God - the God of Abraham, Isaac, Moses and all the prophets throughout the ages.
[Kenny my mate
I agree with you that a name is just a name. Something we humans (as God's creation) call Him. Therefore these names can never be greater than God Himself]
The variations of God’s name were due to religious and cultural differences between Jews, Christians and Muslims but they are all referring to the one same God. I personally think there’s nothing wrong to use another religion’s reference of God as long as we do it with respect and love to God Himself.
Jews don’t exactly pronounce the name of God out of reverence. There is only the written form - YHWH - which is basically God’s reply “I Am Who I Am” when Moses asked the identity of the voice in the burning bush. “Yahweh” is the scholars’ best guess of how Jews would have pronounced the name based on the Hebrew language during the time of the exodus out of Egypt.
December 22, 2007 at 10:10 am
Dear Kamaruddin
I wonder why you converted from a religion based on love to a religion based on laws, but in fact we are worshipping the same God?
Anyway I don’t know the real reason you converted. Regardless whether you converted by marriage or otherwise, I’m sure He has a plan for you and He wants you to continue loving your neighbours, especially those who are worshipping Him.
The two greatest commandments as taught by Jesus Christ in His Gospel:
1) Love God with all our heart, body, mind and soul. We must not have other gods before Him (not only idols but also include money, fame, power, etc)
2) Love your neighbour as you love yourself
December 22, 2007 at 10:23 am
Dear kenny, there is hidden agenda behind using the word Allah, christian missionaries are master physiologist….surely Allah contradict the trinity God of christianity.
Fair enough we use in malay, my challenge to you use Allah in English……
if you dont then something baffling taking place, which is very simply, you christians try to brainwash muslim to believe that we worship the same GOD but no, not the trinity God…whom have no name, muslims worship the God of Abraham, the one true unity of God.
Henry……irony of modern man wishes religion to be suiting his or her whim and fancy, let God dictates His Religion….
I accepted Islam not because of marriage but do you know Prophet Muhammad were prophesied 34 places in the Bible.Jesus never claim to be God in the Bible, there is no trinity according to Jesus……
We use brain not emotions to let us control and start hating people for no reason.
May Peace Prevail.
December 22, 2007 at 3:16 pm
See. It is already brewing. Maybe what they say is true…that religion is the divider. Let’s put it this way, i’m for Herald to keep using ‘Allah’ as a human language (in BM) to describe ‘The God’ be it Islam / Christian. Heck, if Islam were to use God to describe their ‘The God’ in English, i have no problem as well! I’m also for Herald (or any other religion publication) to define & print clearly the meaning of ‘Allah’ in their publication, OK?! Anymore nay sayers?
Henry Lim - your December 22nd, 2007 at 9:44 am post, you are indeed taking a rigid interpretation of the commandment “Thou shalt not use the name of the Lord in vain”. Come on, Thank God IF, OM God & Dear God are forms of expression, that’s all. Why you have to imply that it fits the prohibition by the 10 commandment? Why? I would think, if you point a gun at a murderer’s head and say ‘This is God’s judgement’ before you pull the trigger, then I would believe that that is what the commandments is actually prohibiting, not just any expression.
Kamaruddin - What hidden agenda are you talking about? The followers of Islam uses the arabic word ‘Allah’ in all languages, most of the time, that is understood. Having said that, you cannot implied that others must not use arabic language ‘Allah’ to describe their God. Then that would be Allah(TM). That’s not right either. Why do you say that the Christian brainwashing anyone? One could say the same to your religion as well. Where does it end?
lucia - i said ‘if’. i too believe the people has better reasoning skills than stupid Johari and gang.
And to all, I do not like it when ppl end their post with the word ‘peace’ when all they write contradicts to the very meaning of peace. it’s like, ‘ *SMACK* peace dude’.
December 22, 2007 at 7:27 pm
[...] my previous post, Allah, God, Yahweh? What’s In A Name?, I wrote about the issue of the usage of the word “Allah” in the Catholic publication, [...]
Please read the first response from the government.
December 22, 2007 at 11:49 pm
Dear Kamaruddin
I’m sorry that you seem quite paranoid about Christians conspiring to brainwash Muslims.
Yes Jesus never claimed to be God. He only referred to Himself as the Son of Man. Out of sincere curiosity can you point out to me the 34 prophesies about Prophet Muhammad in the Bible? =)
Could you also kindly explain to me what did u mean by “We use brain not emotions to let us control and start hating people for no reason”? Cuz I felt taken aback by my own interpretation of what you said. =)
Dear ycg
I wasn’t trying to cause further division using the topic of religion. I was explaining my point of view for all to understand. Unity among humans occur when people understand about one another. Take for example, Malays used to be quite paranoid about Chinese wearing red (they thought we were communists) but now that they know it’s the “ong” colour, they would even wear red during our Chinese New Year celebrations.This clearly shows unity.
Yes, we Catholics are a rigid species. But your perception of the Ten Commandments have been influenced by the contemporary society.
The Ten Commandments were rigid rules from God to the Jews because the Jews always had the tendency to go astray (worship idols, use God’s name in vain, kill, steal, commit adultery,etc). But Jesus Christ came and told us the two most important commandments (as I have given above).
By loving God with all our hearts,mind,body and soul and loving our neighbours as we love ourselves, we will naturally start to respect God’s name, respect life, respect our parents, stop desiring what another human has (be it money, power, wife, husband, things, etc).
Yes I am rigid towards the commandment of not using the name of the Lord in vain. But I do it out of love, not because the Law says so. Only Jews would abide because it’s the law.
Get it?
December 23, 2007 at 9:08 am
[...] permit was not going to be renewed because the word Allah was used. I responded by posting Allah, God, Yahweh? What’s In A Name?, arguing that BN has problems with religious tolerance. Then came the first official reply by the [...]
January 16, 2008 at 10:36 am