The usage of 'Allah' in The Herald

To be honest, I did not follow this issue since it gained wide coverage on the MSM. Only recently, when a friend of mine brought it up in Facebook, after he was banned from a group that was against the ruling of High Court judge Lau Bee Lan on 31st December 2009. He was banned for merely expressing his own thoughts on what should be an open discussion. Nothing more than that. The reason? He did not aligned himself with the admins' point of view. I won't go much deeper than that. You get the point right?

I won't be talking about the issue either. Not because I am being nonchalant about the case. Or am I a coward for not being bold enough to question the matter at hand. Maybe I am one of those above. But the reason I decline to spoke on the issue, is simply because I do not think my knowledge on the subject is deep enough for me to question the issue and convey my own thoughts. What I learned, believed, and practiced about Islam is moderate, and not to the extend of giving facts to the non-Muslims on why this matter is such a delicate issue. I leave that to those with a more in-depth education on the subject of Islam. They are the people who is responsible for clearing the issue and give their best in standing up and educate the public on the matter.

But what I do like to sigh about, is the reaction by most of us Muslims in Malaysia. Let me put the group in Facebook as an example. After taking about 1 hour reading through all the comments being left there, I can only conclude 1 thing - most of people there are politically motivated. One people blaming another party, while the other gallantly supported their own political party and accused the other of not being a true Muslim. Then they continue quarreling and arguing without any solid idea or facts, the one that is true to the matter of discussion. Anyone who are against their views is regarded as ignorant and does not know a thing about being a Muslim. What the hell? These people are accused of a lot of things, and were subjected to a hail of abuses from others. Just because they are speaking their mind. Let me tell one thing. Being a discussion, it is normal for human to have different opinions on things. And just because you and they did not think alike, doesn't mean they are not a good Muslim. That's that.

Another thing, why do we Malaysians, especially Malays, always like to turn into violence in order to redeem ourselves, or to speak out our minds? Do we always have to take it to the streets? In this notion, I would like to agree with drrafick. We have many solid and legal ways for us to voice out our concerns on the matter. Trust me, majority of Muslims in Malaysia are very concerned right now. They would like to know the consequences and implications of this ruling in the future. But most of us would like a solution to made via a legal way, a legal system, without having to brush our shoulders with the authority. Yes, we don't want others to use the name 'Allah' freely as it is a very sensitive issue. Complications will arise in the future, and most of us would like to resolve this issue as delicately as possible. There is no need for demonstrations and violence. There are also some idiot who claims that another '13 May' is possible. Blood might be spilled in order to gain victory. Please stop all this nonsense. You want others to respect your sensitivity. Please respect others'.

I believe that this issue has gained unnecessary attention due to the reactions of our political figures and the MSM. There are people who are using the issue as their propaganda, just to received some popular votes from the people. That is why this seems to go haywire. Or about to.

I believe that a devout Muslim will be concerned about the matter, but not to the extend of killing for it. If we are truly concerned about this, why not arresting those who went to bars and drink during the Isya' azan? Or men who go to McDonalds and ordered a large Value Meal during the holy Ramadhan month? My point is, the strength of Islam comes from within. If a Muslim does not show the true beauty of Islam, and continues to be sinners and break any Islamic laws without any shame or remorse, how can they go out and voice their hatred to the non-Muslims? How can they fight for Islam, when they are not fulfilling the five Rukun Islam? How can they speak, when they themselves are shallow on the holy religion itself?

I believe that this matter is only peanuts compared to the problems Islam is facing right now. We have to set straight ourselves first. The strength will come from within, when every Muslim follows the right path and work together is strengthening Islam. Not go side by side throwing stones at the police while skipping the Zohor prayers.