Allah or Tuhan in the Rukun Negara? - A Separate Issue from Allah in the Alkitab
Hadi Awang's proposal In the news:
Pas president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang was reported by Bernama (22 March, 2010) to have called on the government during a debate in the Dewan Rakyat, to amend the first Rukun Negara from belief in God to belief in Allah since the Quran did not bar followers of other religions from using the word Allah.
Response from Dr. Ng Kam Weng
Allah Acceptable for Bahasa Malaysia Version of Rukun Negara but Not for the English Version
All these linguistic principles become clear when they are applied to frame a consistent Christian response to Hadi Awang's suggestion regarding using the word 'Allah' in the Rukun Negara.
First, it is linguistically unnecessary and questionable to change words "belief in God" to "belief in Allah" for the English version of the Rukun Negara. There is no need to substitute the universally acceptable term 'God' in the English language.
Second, whether the authorities finally use the word 'Allah' or 'Tuhan' in the Bahasa Malaysia version of the Rukun Negara a minor issue. Still, it would be good for the authorities along with the academia to debate on the relative merits of either term and then inform the public on the rationale for their final choice of either the word 'Allah' or 'Tuhan'. Doubtless, the final choice is decided by what is considered most appropriate for capturing the original intention of the Rukun Negara.
However, the Rukun Negara decision should be separate from how Christians themselves decide on the most appropriate way to use 'Allah'/'Tuhan' to express their faith in the Alkitab. Indeed, the freedom to define one's own beliefs on one's terms is what the Christians are fighting for in the Allah Court case.
To read further and understand the rationale for this position please click here. |
