SHAH ALAM, 6 Jan: Pakatan Rakyat (PR) is of the opinion that the ‘Allah’ word, which has become a hot topic again, should be solved in a scholarly manner and not thorough demonstrations.
The Chairman PKR’s Religious Understanding and Enhancement Bureau, Dr Muhammad Nor Manuty, said that understanding among participants of demonstrations are also questioned because has already been explained in the Al-Quran itself.
The matter is because the demonstration approach has become the solution of the situation, which will become hotter and may invite a clash and bloodshed.
“This is a matter of knowledge. It will not be solved through demonstrations because it is just emotions. It must be solved in a scholarly manner.
“We live in a multi-cultural community and an open or closed discussion should be held regarding the problem. It will certainly take time, but it is the best approach,” he told Selangor Kini today.
He said that Malaysians should respect every religion as well as the culture of this multi-racial community.
He said that the approach of a demonstration may cause fear in non-Muslims towards Islam, thus tarnishing the image of the religion.
Meanwhile, the PAS Youth Chief, Suhaizan Kayat, said that it is left to UMNO to have demonstrations because the matter is the right of respective parties as a democratic country.
However, he stressed that the sensitive issue should be approached carefully because it can lead to religious strife.
“Matters involving religion requires understanding from all parties. Understanding can be obtained through discourse with each other,” he said.
The former Wangsa Maju Umno Youth Chief, Shahbudin Husin, in his writing on shahbudindotcom.blogspot.com, said that Umno should demonstrate in front of the Prime Minister’s Office or Seri Perdana because it is the location of nesting causes.
“If it is not enough, demonstrations can be held in front of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MOHA) office or in front of the house of the minister, who also has a share in this problem,” he said.
On 5 January, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) urged the Chief Editor of The Herald, Lawrence Andrew, to apologise regarding his move to defend the use of the ‘Allah’ name in the publication even though the religious authorities prohibited the action, following the command of the Sultan of Selangor.
The Selangor Religious Islamic Department (JAIS) also raided the Bible Society of Malaysia on 1 January and seized Bibles in Malay and Iban language which also used the ‘Allah’ word
