SHAH ALAM: Political parties and politicians should stay out of the proposed Inter-Faith Dialogue Council if it is to succeed in resolving sensitive matters of religion and cultural practices.
Reverend Lawrence Andrew (picture), editor of the controversial Catholic weekly Herald, which on Dec 31 won the legal right to use the word “Allah” in its Bahasa Malaysia section, said the council must be composed of individuals who understand all religions clearly.
“In my opinion an Inter-Faith Dialogue Council must consist of knowledgeable persons with strong and clear understanding of religions; it is only then can we seek to resolve matters of religion,” he said.
He was responding to the Deputy Prime Minister Muhyddin Yassin’s acknowledging opposition parties call for inter-faith body to tackle the current controversy over the right to call God “Allah.”
Andrew said open-mindedness and mutual respect were essential to any dialogue.
“There is a percentage of Muslims who agree with the use of the word ‘Allah’ for non- Muslims and those who oppose it,” he said. “But if certain parties continue to object, the solution that we are looking forward to will never be achieved.”
He was alluding to recent comments by Jakim, the Islamic Religious Department and the country’s highest religious body.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz told the East Malaysian media last week that the Federal Government would allow Christians in Sabah and Sarawak to continue using the “Allah” in prayer.
His comment was roundly rejected by Jakim. It’s director-general, Wan Mohamad Sheikh Abdul Aziz, said: “We must be more systematic; there cannot be two sets of laws.”
Disagreeing with Jakim, Nazri retorted: “If that’s the case, we might as well close down the syariah courts and use civil courts only.”
FMT
18/01/10
Reverend Lawrence Andrew (picture), editor of the controversial Catholic weekly Herald, which on Dec 31 won the legal right to use the word “Allah” in its Bahasa Malaysia section, said the council must be composed of individuals who understand all religions clearly.
“In my opinion an Inter-Faith Dialogue Council must consist of knowledgeable persons with strong and clear understanding of religions; it is only then can we seek to resolve matters of religion,” he said.
He was responding to the Deputy Prime Minister Muhyddin Yassin’s acknowledging opposition parties call for inter-faith body to tackle the current controversy over the right to call God “Allah.”
Andrew said open-mindedness and mutual respect were essential to any dialogue.
“There is a percentage of Muslims who agree with the use of the word ‘Allah’ for non- Muslims and those who oppose it,” he said. “But if certain parties continue to object, the solution that we are looking forward to will never be achieved.”
He was alluding to recent comments by Jakim, the Islamic Religious Department and the country’s highest religious body.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz told the East Malaysian media last week that the Federal Government would allow Christians in Sabah and Sarawak to continue using the “Allah” in prayer.
His comment was roundly rejected by Jakim. It’s director-general, Wan Mohamad Sheikh Abdul Aziz, said: “We must be more systematic; there cannot be two sets of laws.”
Disagreeing with Jakim, Nazri retorted: “If that’s the case, we might as well close down the syariah courts and use civil courts only.”
FMT
18/01/10
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