News from Malaysiakini :
The government has withdrawn a ban on Catholic newspaper Herald that prevented it from publishing its Malay-language edition in a row over the use of the word “Allah”, a home ministry official said today.
The decision was made after the Herald weekly threatened to sue the government, the home ministry’s publications control unit secretary Che Din Yusof told AFP.
“We received their letter. We have reviewed the decision and we will now allow them to print the Malay version provided that they don’t use the word ‘Allah’ until it is decided in court,” he said.
“They can publish as long as they don’t use the word ‘Allah’, just use the word ‘God’.”
The Herald, circulated among the country’s 850,000 Catholics, nearly lost its publishing licence last year for using the word “Allah” as a translation for “God”. Authorities said “Allah” should be used only by Muslims.
Last week, the newspaper was told it must stop publishing its Malay edition while the issue is resolved in the courts, as part of conditions for it to be allowed to continue printing its editions in English, Chinese and Tamil.
Murphy Pakiam, the Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur and publisher of the weekly newspaper, said the move “reeks of ill will and bad faith” and was effectively retribution over the legal battle that is due to be decided next month.
Che Din denied the government was trying to punish the Herald.
(full news on malaysiakini)
Thank God, Praise the Lord.
Next, we shall see ‘you’ in court.
January 9th, 2009 at 10:04 am
I am referring to tha above articled entitled “The Herald allowed to continue BM version”(malaysiakini).
Let me go straight to the point.
Is it true that one of your hopes that by having the Herald in Malay version, the Muslim Malay in Malaysia could have read the weekly and therefore more of them convert to your religion later?
Pls give me a straight answer, if possible.
Thank you in advance.
January 9th, 2009 at 5:27 pm
AB MUTALIB BIN IBRAHIM, The Herald is only distributed in Catholic churches & not sold publicly or as freely as you think. It is intended for the usage of the Catholic community in Malaysia.
If you are so afraid of Malay Muslims in Malaysia going murtad, don’t worry because it is impossible to do so in Malaysia. If you are so worried that Malay Muslims will be “swayed” by this “rival religion” of ours, there is nothing in Malaysian law preventing you from doing dakwah Islam (Islamic missionary work).
January 9th, 2009 at 5:58 pm
AB MUTALIB BIN IBRAHIM – I think you are underestimating humans in general. People do not turn to a religion just because of what they can read. I am sure there are lots of Muslims who can read English. Do you see any of them turning to the Bible just because they can read English? No. They are still Muslims. And there are lots of people who can read but they remain atheists. Like Jesus Christ said, “You did not choose me, I choose you.” Meaning, no one can become a Christian just because they want to. It is God’s will.
I suppose you didn’t read the statistics in the statement from The Herald Editor that 60% of Catholics are from the East Malaysia and majority of them only read BM. This Herald is JUST FOR THEM. Don’t be so worried, no one can make a person believes in God (the One God) by just reading about it.
January 13th, 2009 at 12:10 am
“People do not turn to a religion just because of what they can read.’”
Lilian, I agree with you. I once had a Muslim colleague who attended mission school and in those days they were required to pray the Our Father prayer which he memorised. And you know what? He never got converted to Christianity. I just checked with hubby that we never heard of any Muslim becoming Christian just because they attended mission schools which were very common in the old days because you know what? We never forced them to do so. We are not a controlling religion. I have a Hindu friend, too, who scored excellent in Bible studies but till today she is still a Hindu. So, what do our friend say about that?
Jane