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The Arab word Allah has been used by Malay-speaking Christians for centuries, much as it is used by Christians in Arabic-speaking countries or in Indonesia, where, like Malaysia, the concept of a single deity was introduced by Arabic-speaking traders. Rev. Lawrence Andrew, editor of the Herald, says there's no other appropriate term for God in Malay.
Many powerful Islamic leaders here disagree, however, and fear some Muslims could be misled by Christians using the word Allah. They say the word should be reserved for Islam alone.
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2 comments:
Hm.
I find that rather ridiculous given that Judaism and Christianity (in that order) are older than Islam, and that all three religions trace their ancestry to the same God. The God of Adam and Eve. (There was a split of some sort, I'm told, after Abraham).
I have also heard (though if I'm wrong, I hope someone out there will correct me) that the word "Allah" in Arabic just means... "God." Just like "Dieu" in French just means "God".
Luckily this (non)distinction doesn't seem to matter in Canada, no doubt because Quebec went from being the most religious province in the country to the most secular (fairly rapidly after the middle of the last century).
God/Dieu/Allah bless them.
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"anon 1152 says... I find that rather ridiculous given that Judaism and Christianity (in that order) are older than Islam"
hmmm, agree 100%.
now... does it matter in canada?
well, if you live in a large urban centre... my advice... look over your shoulder before you say stuff like that out loud.
'cos if somebody takes offense... maybe you don't just get a spirited argument.
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