Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz said, the government has no issue with the word "Allah" being used by Christians in Sabah and Sarawak. This is because the natives in the two states have traditionally been using "Allah" in their prayers and religious services and Muslims there were accustomed to the practice.
"Christians in Sarawak and Sabah need not worry over this issue because it is a common tradition there. I have been to an Iban church service and I heard the word 'Allah' used there," he said.
Nazri, however, said "Allah" was not allowed to be used in churches in Peninsular Malaysia and so Christians from Sabah and Sarawak had to respect that even when they are in the peninsula.
"Muslims here in Semenanjung cannot accept it as 'Allah' was never used in Christian preachings until recently and they questioned the motive behind the substitution of 'Tuhan' for 'Allah'."
Nazri said Christians should recognise that using "Allah" in their worship and publications was sensitive to Muslims and that this was not an issue that could be solved by going to court.
He said banning the use of "Allah" by Christians was a preemptive move to stop outbreaks of religious violence in the nation, and the government was proven right in doing so when churches were attacked following the High Court ruling in favour of the Herald weekly.
Nazri said a solution to the issue needed to be found soon, but in the meantime, he appealed to the people to remain calm and rational.
"Christians in Sarawak and Sabah need not worry over this issue because it is a common tradition there. I have been to an Iban church service and I heard the word 'Allah' used there," he said.
Nazri, however, said "Allah" was not allowed to be used in churches in Peninsular Malaysia and so Christians from Sabah and Sarawak had to respect that even when they are in the peninsula.
"Muslims here in Semenanjung cannot accept it as 'Allah' was never used in Christian preachings until recently and they questioned the motive behind the substitution of 'Tuhan' for 'Allah'."
Nazri said Christians should recognise that using "Allah" in their worship and publications was sensitive to Muslims and that this was not an issue that could be solved by going to court.
He said banning the use of "Allah" by Christians was a preemptive move to stop outbreaks of religious violence in the nation, and the government was proven right in doing so when churches were attacked following the High Court ruling in favour of the Herald weekly.
Nazri said a solution to the issue needed to be found soon, but in the meantime, he appealed to the people to remain calm and rational.
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