PAS makes clear position on the 'Allah' issue - What about Anwar Ibrahim's position?

PAS has made clear its position on the 'Allah' issue...Now, we wait for Anwar Ibrahim and the PKR....

KUALA LUMPUR, 5 Jan: After a special meeting to discuss a recent controversial court ruling, PAS has decided to reiterate its stand that the use of the word Allah by Christians was not against Islam and in accordance with the federal constitution which guarantees religious freedom.

"As a responsible Islamic body, PAS is ready to explain this issue to all parties in order to ensure a harmonious environment that is based on the principles of fairness such as is guaranteed in the constitution and by Islam itself,” PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang said in a statement issued after a three-hour long discussion.

He also called on all parties not to politicise the matter as this could threaten the peace among the different religious groups in the country.

“We would like to state that based on Islamic principles, the use of the word Allah by the people of the Abrahamic faiths such as Christianity and Judaism, is acceptable,” Hadi said. “PAS strongly objects to any aggressive and provocative approach that can lead to tension in society.”

He was referring to the emotional outbursts from some Umno-back NGOs, who have threatened to hold mass demonstrations at mosques throughout the country if a recent landmark court decision was not reversed. A slew of Umno leaders including Jerlun MP Mukhriz Mahathir, Wanita chief Shahrizat Abdul Jalil and former Selangor mentri besar Khir Toyo have led the storm of protests, condemning the ruling as an ominous development for Muslims and Malays.

But do not misuse or abuse

In a bid to appease these groups, Prime Minister Najib Razak has promised to appeal last week's High Court decision overturning a Home Ministry’s ban on a Chistrian magazine  the Herald - to use Allah to describe God in its Malay language section. The appeal was filed on Monday.

On Sunday, PAS spiritual adviser Nik Aziz Nik Mat had told reporters that the word Allah was not exclusive to Muslims and it was acceptable for non-Muslims to say and use it. However, he was worried there might be abuse in its usage and invited Christian leaders to a meeting to sort out these concerns.

Hadi again stressed the usage of Allah must not be misused or abused or it will affect racial and religious harmony in the country.

Also present at Monday’s meeting of the political bureau, which was also attended by central committee members, were deputy  president Nasharudin Mat Isa, vice presidents Salahudin Ayub and Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man, secretary-general Mustafa Ali and head of women’s wingUstazah Nuridah Salleh.- Harakah Daily, 5/1/2009, PAS: Allah can be used by non-Muslims but do not abuse

PAS says that the use of “Allah” is permitted among people of the Abrahamic faiths such as Christianity and Judaism.

Its president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang made the statement that also supported the High Court’s decision that allowed the Christian weekly newsletter The Herald to use the word.

PAS also urged the public not to misuse the word “Allah” for cheap politicking to gain mass support.

“The wrongful and irresponsible use of the word should be avoided so that it did not create an issue that jeopardises the racial and religious harmony of this country,” Abdul Hadi said in a statement read by the party information chief Idris Ahmad on Monday.

The statement was issued after a party political bureau meeting on the same day.

Abdul Hadi said the principle of freedom of religion was championed by Islam because human beings could not be forced to profess any religion except through their own free will.

“In the Malaysian context, the situation must be considered for the sake of public interest to preserve the harmony among the various races and religions,” Abdul Hadi said.

He added that the party was ready to clear the air on the issue to anyone in order to preserve the harmony based the fairness that was enshrined under article 11 of the Federal Constitution.

High Court judge Datuk Lau Bee Lan made the controversial decision and immediately invoked protests from some 13 Muslim non-governmental organisations against the decision.

Meanwhile, the Home Ministry has filed an appeal and for a stay of execution of the decision reached on Dec 31.- Star, 5/1/2009, PAS says ‘Allah’ can be used by Christians and others

And the full official statement in Bahasa Melayu is as follows:-

Kenyataan rasmi Presiden Pas mengenai isu kalimah Allah

Ditulis oleh Presiden PAS

TUESDAY, 05 JANUARY 2010 03:17

PAS sebagai parti Islam, amat menghormati prinsip kebebasan beragama seperti mana yang ditekankan oleh Islam kerana manusia tidak boleh dipaksa untuk menerima mana-mana agama melainkan ia merupakan pilihan sendiri. Prinsip kebebasan beragama ini juga telah termaktub di dalam Perkara 11 Perlembagaan Persekutaan. Walaupun demikian dalam konteks masyarakat di Malaysia, suasana dan keadaan setempat perlu diambil kira di atas kepentingan awam bagi memelihara keharmonian berbagai kaum dan agama. Setiap warganegara Malaysia wajib memelihara suasana dan keadaan ini. PAS ingin menjelaskan bahawa berdasarkan kepada kaedah Islam, penggunaan nama Allah pada asasnya adalah dibenar untuk digunakan oleh agama samawi seperti Kristian dan Yahudi. Walau bagaimanapun, penggunaan kalimah Allah secara salah dan tidak bertanggungjawab mestilah dielakkan supaya ianya tidak menjadi isu yang boleh menjejaskan keharmonian kaum dan agama dalam negara ini. PAS memberikan peringatan kepada semua pihak supaya tidak menyalahgunakan perkataan Allah bagi mengelirukan atau menjadikan politik murahan untuk mendapatkan sokongan rakyat. Al-Quran telah menyarankan cara yang betul menggunakan perkataan Allah, sebagaimana yang dinyatakan dalam Surah Al Imran ayat 64 yang bermaksud. ‘‘Katakanlah: Hai Ahli Kitab,marilah (berpegang) kepada suatu kalimat (ketetapan) yang tidak ada perselisihan antara kami dan kamu, bahawa tidak kita sembah kecuali Allah dan tidak kita persekutukan Dia dengan sesuatu pun dan tidak (pula) sebahagian kita menjadikan sesama manusia seperti pemimpin dan sebagainya sebagai tuhan selain Allah’’ Pas dengan tegasnya ingin menolak sebarang bentuk tindakan agresif dan provokatif jahat yang boleh mengugat keharmonian dan mencetuskan ketegangan masyarakat. PAS dengan segala rasa penuh tanggungjawab bersedia untuk menjelaskan isu ini kepada semua pihak bagi mewujudkan suasana yang harmoni berdasarkan kepada prinsip keadilan sebagaimana yang termaktub dalam perlembagaan dan dijamin oleh Islam. Tuan Guru Haji Abdul Hadi Awang Presiden Parti Islam Semalaysia (PAS)

Source: PAS Website