The word ‘Allah’ in print only, but say it not.

“The word “Allah” to mean God for non-Muslims is still in place,” said a Malaysian Catholic priest involved in a court dispute over its use. The Associated Press had reported on 26th February 2009 that the ban had been lifted with conditions. When this piece of good news was known, there was euphoria amongst the Christian community in Sabah. The celebration was too soon. My hand phone was congested with sms last night to inform me of the good news, for obvious reason that they wanted me to publish it in this blog. But, alas, the lifting of the ban was conditional – in print only but uttering of the word is still prohibited - the order does not allow Christians to use it orally, whether celebrating Mass or other forms of prayer and worship. “If I had a Malay Bible, but if ‘FOR CHRISTIANITY’ were not printed on its front cover, ahhh, trouble,” Rev. Fr Lawrence Andrew said, the editor of the Herald, a Catholic weekly newspaper. “The ban has not been lifted,” Fr. Lawrence told The Malaysian Insider Wednesday afternoon. He said he had recently received a letter from the Home Ministry reinforcing the rule forbidding the word “Allah” in a non-Muslim context. He explained the ban made exceptions for Christians to use the word “Allah” only in print and under stringent conditions. “The printing, publishing, sale, issue, circulation and possession of any document and publication relating to Christianity containing the words ‘Allah’, ‘Kaabah’, ‘Baitullah’ and ‘Solat’ are prohibited unless on the front cover of the document and publication are written with the words ‘FOR CHRISTIANITY’,” Fr Lawrence said, quoting from the letter dated Feb 16, 2009. “The words ‘FOR CHRISTIANITY’ referred to in subparagraph (1) shall be written clearly in font type Arial of size 16 in bold,” he added. The notification, which falls under the Internal Security Act, was gazetted on Feb 16 this year. “We feel good we can use ‘Allah’ again,” Fr Lawrence said, adding that the March 1 issue of The Herald will bear the required warning on its front page. But he is wary of celebrating too soon, noting that the order does not allow Christians to use it orally, whether celebrating Mass or other forms of prayer and worship. Fr Lawrence noted that with the case still going on, the government’s latest move could be seen as acting in contempt of court. Today, the High Court here will resume hearing the judicial review filed last year by the Catholic Church against the government over the “Allah” ban. Asraf Abdullah: As a Muslim convert, I find this letter un-called for and it is very offensive and disrespectful not only to the Christian communities but also to the whole country as well. To share with you what Asraf Abdullah and the others say about this isue. 'Allah': Archbishop to seek AG's views

Note: There is a petition online now. 

An Appeal TO RECONSIDER THE USE OF THE WORD "ALLAH" addressed to YAB DATO' SERI ABDULLAH AHMAD BADAWI, PRIME MINISTER OF MALAYSIA. Do your part to voice your concern over this issue.