The Christian community is appalled by the recent statements reportedly made by the Mentri Besar of Kedah and the Minister of Urban Well-being, Housing and Local Government on the issue of the use of the word “Allah” in the Al-Kitab.
Both statements are untenable and in flagrant disregard of the 10-point solution decided by the Federal Cabinet in April 2011.
These 10 points were specifically communicated to the Christian Federation of Malaysia in a letter dated 11 April 2011 from the Prime Minister himself.
It is offensive and unacceptable for the Honourable Minister to attempt to justify the call by Ibrahim Ali to burn our Holy Scripture by saying that our Holy Scripture contains errors in printing.
The use of the word “Allah” in the Al-Kitab is NOT and has NEVER been an error of printing as claimed by the Honourable Minister. Such a suggestion is insensitive, insulting and inflammatory. We reiterate that it is the express right of the Christian community to use the word “Allah”.
The Mentri Besar of Kedah’s recent statement to forbid the non-Muslims from using the word “Allah” in his state is unconstitutional. The Federal Constitution in Article 11 (1) and (3) (a) gives the right to every individual to profess and practise his religion and at the same time it also gives every religious group the right to manage its own religious affairs.
We call on the Federal Cabinet to honour and enforce all aspects of the 10-point solution; in particular, the Federal Government must ensure that the 10-point solution is abided by all levels of government and all relevant authorities.
The rights guaranteed to all religious communities under the Federal Constitution must be respected in all states in our beloved country, including Kedah.
Yours sincerely,
[signed]
Rev. Dr. Eu Hong Seng,
Chairman and the Executive Committee,
The Christian Federation of Malaysia
20th July 2013