UCANews（https://www.ucanews.com/news/a-grave-concern-for-malaysian-catholics/101385）
A ‘grave’ concern for Malaysian Catholics
by Vanitha Nadaraj
22 May 2023
There is a shortage of cemetery land and funeral parlors in Kuala Lumpur and its surrounding area
A Christian cross pictured on the top of a church next to Malaysia’s iconic Twin Towers (left) in downtown Kuala Lumpur, on Aug. 26, 2011. Catholics in and around the federal capital of this Southeast Asian country are facing an acute shortage of cemetery land and funeral parlors. (Photo: AFP)
In the 80s and 90s, mega housing projects emerged in Selangor state, just outside Kuala Lumpur, the federal capital city of Malaysia. A condition laid out by the state government at the time was that each project allocate land for a cemetery.
The developers, however, managed to get the state officials to relax that ruling with their argument that a cemetery in the middle of a growing township was bad feng-shui and no one would want to buy a house near a cemetery.
A decade later, people started feeling the effect, especially Catholics. The existing cemeteries in the parish grounds were already overpopulated. Many parishes didn’t have cemeteries. The government cemeteries were also full to the brim. It did not seem like much of a problem then because there were private cemeteries. But those were filling up fast and the ones that were available cost an arm and a leg.
The Lutheran Church in Malaysia, realizing the need in the 90s, acquired private land and provided affordable burial plots and columbarium. These were initially meant for their parishioners but they later opened to others to meet the demand. Catholics were among those who rushed to buy and in no time the Lutheran plots were all taken up and only the columbarium was available. So, Catholics opted for the next best thing — cremation.
Francis J. Mascrinhos says the Catholic Church should have worked on finding solutions years ago like the Lutherans. His late uncle P.C. Archibald and friend Norman Dragon, who owned one of the earliest funeral services companies, had been pushing for the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur to find options.
“About 20 to 30 years ago, they raised the matter to the Church and highlighted it in the newspapers,” Mascrinhos says adding that he does not know what has happened since then.
Mascrinhos took over Dragon’s company Norman Funeral Services when the latter passed away in 2011.
In 2013, he wrote to the state chief minister asking for land allocation for a Christian cemetery. Four years later, the state agreed to give a plot of land to the Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM) to build a cemetery.
“That was in 2017. We don’t know what happened since then,” he says.
Then there is also the issue of funeral parlors. There are about 16 Catholic churches in Kuala Lumpur, and the nearby Petaling Jaya, Puchong, Shah Alam, and Subang Jaya with about 11 funeral parlors. These parishes house the bulk of the 300,000 or so Catholics in the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur. This figure is a guesstimate given by a senior priest.
There is a constant queue for parlors in the parishes. Some even travel about 40 kilometers to another parish to hold a wake for their dearly departed.
“There are other options besides the church parlors,” says Mascrinhos. “But families want to have their loved ones on church grounds, a holy place next to the church. It’s easy for loved ones to pay their last respects. Also, other parishioners may also pray for the departed soul. It’s a corporal work of mercy.”
He feels this is the reason and not the cost that is making Catholics seek parlors in the parishes. One parish in Petaling Jaya charges about US$90 for the first night and US$40 for subsequent nights. Another parish charges US$110 for each night. In comparison, a medium-range commercially-run funeral parlor in the same vicinity charges about US$130 per night. The high-end ones can cost between US$800 and US$1,200 per night.
“I knew this would happen as far back as 16 years ago,” Mascrinhos says of the shortage of parlors. He attributes it to the increase in the number of apartments in the last 20 years. Almost all apartment managers do not allow wakes or funerals on their premises because tenants consider them taboo. Prior to that, people were living in landed properties and wakes would be held at home.
Mascrinhos feels the Church should be proactive and the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur needs to initiate discussions with Catholic-owned funeral companies, to find a viable long-term solution.
“We have the know-how. We have been in this business for years,” he says.
Mascrinhos’ and other Catholic-run funeral service companies have been dealing with state government officials and city councilors and can support the Church.
The Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur along with its partners in the CFM are working towards a viable solution and are seeking the best they can from the state and federal governments, according to Reverend Father Christopher W. Soosaipillai who oversees matters pertaining to cemeteries.
He says CFM is already liaising with the state government on a cemetery site in Selangor. The CFM is also seeking to meet the Federal Government ministers on allocating more burial grounds and a columbarium site for Christians.
“Efforts are being made to work with Catholic funeral directors,” he adds.
＊The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official editorial position of UCA News.
(End)
。。。。。。。。。
実は、マレーシアで42年以上も続いているムスリムとクリスチャンの間の「神概念の用語問題」は、本質的な問題のほんの氷山の一角である。その証拠に、上記のカトリック系の記事による墓地問題が挙げられる。
この話は、既に1980年代頃の地元の新聞や雑誌にも掲載されていたことで、何ら珍しくも何ともない。
中東のムスリム多数派諸国で発生してきた事柄でもある。
最近、日本に外国人が多数居住しているが、宗教を問わず受け入れているならば、似たような小競り合いが発生することを大いに予測しておくべきではないだろうか？現に、大分の土地では、ムスリム墓地に転換してほしいという主張が在日ムスリム側から出されて、問題になっている。戦前の神戸のムスリム貿易商人達は、当時、このような問題を起こしただろうか？
。。。。。。。。。
（https://twitter.com/ituna4011/status/1660149985353293827）
Lily2@ituna4011
“その人の奥さんまで「ユーリさんの内面に他人と対決したい気持ちが存在するから、マレーシア人も対立しているように見えるんじゃないですか」と言われたのです。いくら何でも、そういう言い方はないんじゃないでしょうか。”
2:06 PM · May 21, 2023
（https://twitter.com/ituna4011/status/1660164056844746752）
Lily2@ituna4011
これは、2003年7月のことだった。20年前の話である。 当時の発言の責任を取っていただきたい。 その話を聞いて、うちの主人は国際電話（当時は携帯がなかった）で怒髪天を衝く勢いで怒っていた。
3:02 PM · May 21, 2023
（https://twitter.com/ituna4011/status/1660230409651879937）
Lily2@ituna4011
当たり前だ。 あの頃、どのくらいの犠牲を払って主人がマレーシアの神経戦のようなリサーチに送り出してくれたか。さらに、今の日本の研究水準がどれ程下がったか、考えなくとも明白。 先見の明を持って取り組んでいることを、人格のせいであるかのように、話をすり替えて潰そうとした。
7:25 PM · May 21, 2023
（https://twitter.com/ituna4011/status/1660231692907577345）
Lily2@ituna4011
ちなみに、イスラエルでもオーストラリアでもアメリカでも英国でもドイツでもフランスでも、私と同じテーマの論考は、とっくの昔から出ている。ムスリム問題は頭痛の種。 ならば、その研究者達にも言いなさい。 あなたに人と対立したい気持ちがあるから、そう考えるのではないか、と。
7:30 PM · May 21, 2023
（https://twitter.com/ituna4011/status/1660233216522084355）
Lily2@ituna4011
恐らく、誰も相手にしてくれないだろう。 実は、その後に、イスラエルやシンガポールでは、話が一発で通じた。日本人なのに、よく気づいた、と驚かれもした。 ニュージーランドの神学校の図書室にも、拙稿が入れられた。 サンフランシスコの長老派教会の日曜説教で拙稿が引用された。
7:36 PM · May 21, 2023
（https://twitter.com/ituna4011/status/1660277375983325184）
Lily2@ituna4011
1990年代半ば以後の日本の国力低下の一原因は、こういう夜郎自大で尊大な態度にあったか？ 猛省。
10:32 PM · May 21, 2023
（https://twitter.com/ituna4011/status/1660424660276887552）
Lily2@ituna4011
今回のマレーシア のAllah用語問題の決着に関しては、1981年当初のトレンガヌ州での州法から、緩慢かつ非論理的なゴリ押しの連続だった。 一つ一つを細かく煮詰めなくとも、1980年代の内務省の役人とキリスト教指導者層との秘密会合の議事録を2000年頃に入手してある。
8:17 AM · May 22, 2023
（https://twitter.com/ituna4011/status/1660425474961731584）
Lily2@ituna4011
これまでの経過は、その応用変形展開だ、と考えられる。 表面だけを追っていては、振り回される。 過去に遡って、当局と指導者層の機密会合の文書を把握しておけば、揺らぐことはない。
8:20 AM · May 22, 2023
（https://twitter.com/ituna4011/status/1660426936840245248）
Lily2@ituna4011
機密文書を渡してくれたり、面談の人繋ぎをしてくれた方々の多くは、既に故人。だが、私は約束を固く守った。 現地調査は11年前で終了。 陰陽の法則でいけば、日本の自宅内で陰を蓄えてきたことになる。 誰がハッタリを公言しているかも、よくわかる。
8:26 AM · May 22, 2023
（https://twitter.com/ituna4011/status/1660429019077287936）
Lily2@ituna4011
5年前の今頃亡くなったリチャードパイプス先生やバーナードルイス先生の業績が、ことに身に沁みる。 この巡り合わせを可能にしたのは、ダニエルパイプス氏だが、彼が引用した私の英語版ブログを勧めてくれたのは、主人だった。 経済的にも充分に支えてもらった。今振り返っても、奇跡のようだ。
8:35 AM · May 22, 2023
（https://twitter.com/ituna4011/status/1660431320147968001）
Lily2@ituna4011
マレーシアで起こったことは、時間が経てば日本にも波及する。 その見通しの下、ブログで記録と論考を積み重ねてきた。 実際、そのようになっているではないか？ 神概念の用語問題は、ほんの氷山の一角。ムスリムのゴリ押し精神は、今や日本各地で、特に大学で散見され、容認されている。
8:44 AM · May 22, 2023
（https://twitter.com/ituna4011/status/1660433739795800064）
Lily2@ituna4011
イスラミストはマルキストから多くを学んできたはずだ。 マレーシア には北朝鮮 とのコネクションがある、と聞いている。だから、中東紛争に関して、歴代マレーシア首相は軒並みパレスチナ支持派、となる。 2001年の9.11米国同時多発テロの首謀者達の秘密会合は、マレーシアの首都圏で開かれた。
8:53 AM · May 22, 2023
（https://twitter.com/ituna4011/status/1660461130127642624）
Lily2@ituna4011
それなのに、
自分はマレーシアが好きだ。クリスチャンだと尊敬される。
と私に言った。その上、私の対決的な人格のせいで、マレーシア内部に対立を見ているのだ、と戒めた。40年以上に及ぶマレーシア内部の当局による非論理的な嫌がらせ行為を、単に一部の人の話だ、と軽視黙殺した。
10:42 AM · May 22, 2023
（https://twitter.com/ituna4011/status/1660462374435065856）
Lily2@ituna4011
結局、プロパガンダに乗せられているのだ。何を偉そうに説教を！ こちらは、地道に関係者に聞き取りをし、内部資料をいただき、原理原則を把握した上で、研究発表をしてきたつもりだ。 一部の人だけなら、これ程長期に事が及ぶはずがない。
10:47 AM · May 22, 2023
（https://twitter.com/ituna4011/status/1660463896803819520）
Lily2@ituna4011
パレスチナはイスラエル に対するミサイル攻撃を繰り返す。 北朝鮮は日本 に対してミサイルを飛ばしてくる。 アメリカの知人複数が、 おい、日本の国防は大丈夫か？米軍はもう余力がないぞ。 と心配してくれた。2015年の今頃のこと。
10:53 AM · May 22, 2023
（https://twitter.com/ituna4011/status/1660567881002938369）
Lily2@ituna4011
ご明察。 マレーシアの英語新聞やカトリック新聞、プロテスタント主流派の機関誌等には、過去に拙文投稿が掲載されました。 マレー語で書かれたマレー人によるアカデミック論文にも、拙稿が引用されていました。 何ら解決には結びつきませんでしたが、少し珍しがられました。
5:46 PM · May 22, 2023
（https://twitter.com/ituna4011/status/1660568789686308864）
Lily2@ituna4011
大学の一部、特にキリスト教系は、既にそうなっています。または、分離して別々になりました。 閉鎖されたり閉鎖が決まったキリスト教系大学もありますね？
5:50 PM · May 22, 2023
（https://twitter.com/ituna4011/status/1660463896803819520）
Lily2@ituna4011
パレスチナはイスラエル に対するミサイル攻撃を繰り返す。 北朝鮮は日本 に対してミサイルを飛ばしてくる。 アメリカの知人複数が、 おい、日本の国防は大丈夫か？米軍はもう余力がないぞ。 と心配してくれた。2015年の今頃のこと。
10:53 AM · May 22, 2023
（https://twitter.com/ituna4011/status/1660466151540031489）
Lily2@ituna4011
パレスチナ支持派のマレーシア首相。イスラミストが基盤を広げて、イスラミスト首相を輩出した。 イスラエル内部に入り込んでテロを起こすパレスチナのテロリスト。 日本国内にも大学を中心に何らかのネットワークがある模様。 日本、大丈夫か？
11:02 AM · May 22, 2023
（https://twitter.com/ituna4011/status/1660569955967045633）
Lily2@ituna4011
アンワルイブラヒム首相は、若い頃、シカゴ大学で若きダニエルパイプス講師の学生でした。 都市型のモダンなイスラミストとして、パイプス講師は当時から注目していらしたそうです。 アンワル氏の長女さんは、ムスリム同胞団の若い男性陣を引き連れて、東京の講演会に乗り込んで来ました。
5:55 PM · May 22, 2023
（2023年5月23日転載終）
………………
2023年5月24日追記：
1. Christian Post（http://www.christianpost.com/news/malaysian-state-issues-fatwa-banning-muslims-from-entering-church.html）
Malaysian state issues fatwa banning Muslims from entering churches, attending Christian weddings
by Christian Today
11 April 2023
A Malaysian state has issued a fatwa banning Muslims from entering churches and other non-Muslim places of worship.
The fatwa was passed on March 15 in the state of Selangor in western Malaysia and is believed to be a reaction to an event staged by Malaysia’s Sports Minister for citizens to learn more about Christianity, Open Doors reports.
Selangor is the most populous state in Malaysia, which is a Muslim-majority country — 63.5 percent of the country in 2020.
According to the country’s constitution, Islam is Malaysia’s state religion. The constitution also allows some restrictions on the proselytization of Muslims.
Not all Muslims support the fatwa.
Muslim politician Syed Saddiq said in a video posted on social media: “How do we want our children to live in a harmonious society when they cannot understand the religion and culture of their own peers?
“What is the need to gatekeep Muslims in Selangor? Don’t tell me that if you entered a church your faith would waver. Every other person of a different religion here hears the [Islamic] call to prayer five times a day.”
Malaysia is ranked 43 on Open Doors’ annual World Watch List of countries where Christians face the most extreme persecution.
Open Doors highlighted some of the consequences of the fatwa, which will prevent Muslims from attending weddings or other events held in churches, and negatively affect the income of event coordinators and wedding photographers.
A spokesperson for an Open Doors partner charity in Malaysia is concerned about the fatwa.
“It is alarming to see the rise in incidents like this, giving more and more control to the Islamic authority and restricting the rights of the minorities,” she said.
“However, I do feel that there has been a shift of mentality among the minorities and even those within the Islamic community. People are getting sick of being controlled and they are speaking out.”
(End)
2. UCANews（https://www.ucanews.com/news/the-allah-controversy-in-malaysia-is-far-from-over/101398）
The Allah controversy in Malaysia is far from over
by Vanitha Nadaraj
23 May 2023
Last of the high-profile court cases over the use of the word ‘Allah’ by non-Muslims came to an end last week
Malaysian Christians attend a Sunday service inside a church in Petaling Jaya near Kuala Lumpur on Jan 10, 2010, amid heightened ethnic tensions after a series of firebomb attacks on churches and an escalating row over the use of the word ‘Allah’ as a translation for the Christian God in the Muslim-majority nation. (Photo: AFP)
In 1986, two separate government decisions were made involving the word “Allah,” the Arabic word for God. The decisions were inconsistent with each other but that is not the problem. The fact that these directives are still in force is what is haunting the country.
In May that year, the cabinet decided that Christians were prohibited from using the words “Allah” and three other words in their printed materials unless “For Christians” was printed on the cover of these materials. The other three words were Kaabah (referring to Islam’s holiest site), Baitullah (House of God), and solat (prayer).
In December, the home ministry issued a directive saying there was an outright ban. The suggested alternative was Tuhan, which some say means Lord.
What followed were high-profile court cases, one of which involved the Catholic weekly Herald, and claims that those opposing the ban were creating disunity and undermining Islam. These claims triggered arson attacks on churches 13 years ago, and street protests, the latest of which was on May 19.
The incidents that triggered the three court cases happened at about the same time.
Two cases came to an end within the past 30 days.
One was on May 15 when the government said that it would not appeal against a 2021 High Court ruling that the 1986 home ministry directive was unlawful because it was inconsistent with the cabinet decision. This case involved a Sarawakian Protestant who was caught in 2008 for bringing CDs containing the word Allah for personal use.
The other case started in 2007 when the home ministry seized Christian educational materials containing the word “Allah” belonging to a Protestant church. The Sabah-based Sidang Injil Borneo Church filed a notice of discontinuance on April 25 and did not state the reason why they were dropping their lawsuit.
The Herald case emerged in 2009 and came to an end in 2015. It started when the home ministry prohibited the Catholic weekly from using the world “Allah” for national security purposes, and to avoid confusion and misunderstanding among Muslims.
The Catholic Church filed a judicial review and the High Court ruled in 2009 that the ban was unconstitutional. The government appealed and won, but the Church pursued the case relentlessly. In 2015, the case was thrown out by the apex court.
Soon after the High Court ruling on the Herald case, there were arson attacks in 2010 on three churches in Kuala Lumpur and nearby Petaling Jaya. Molotov cocktails were used in the attack on the Assumption Church, while two Protestant churches were also damaged but no one was harmed.
Catholic churches in these cities started to beef up security including hiring extra security guards fearing an escalation. Many Catholics removed crucifixes and other religious items from their cars after hearing of vandalism incidents.
The fear is still there. The past has taught Christians to be wary and not court attention, and the present tells them that the issue is far from over.
Days after the government decided to drop the case, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim says he is bringing before the Rulers Conference the government’s proposals to “strengthen enforcement on the use of ‘Allah’” and “strengthen interracial and inter-religious unity and harmony in Malaysia.”
The Rulers Conference is a council comprising nine rulers and four governors, who are the heads of the states in Malaysia. The council has been vested with several functions, including matters relating to Islam and Malay privileges.
Rulers have the power to enact laws in their own states relating to these matters. Since 1986, most of the states have enacted laws that prohibit non-Muslims from using some 20 to 40 words including “Allah.”
A council representing major non-Muslims religions wants the Rulers Conference to reconsider these state laws. They say that these laws are unconstitutional because the Federal Constitution only allows states to restrict or control the spreading of religious beliefs among Muslims.
There cannot be a ban on non-Muslims using those words for themselves, says the Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism. One of its three vice-presidents is Archbishop Julian Leow of the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur.
It is not just the laws. Christians have also witnessed the use of religion as political fodder on numerous occasions. That is why the two recently concluded court cases hardly made a ripple within Christian circles on the peninsula.
There may be some discussion among those in the Borneo states of Sabah and Sarawak and understandably so. “Allah” is commonly used there because Malay is spoken widely. It is for this reason that non-Muslims in these two states can use the word “Allah” in publications but under certain conditions.
For now, it is the status quo for Christians in Malaysia.
＊The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official editorial position of UCA News.
(End)
（2023年5月24日転載終）
………….
2023年5月25日追記：
（https://twitter.com/ituna4011/status/1661114207285424128）
Lily2@ituna4011
The Allah controversy in Malaysia is far from over https://ucanews.com/news/the-allah-controversy-in-malaysia-is-far-from-over/101398…
⇦ 曖昧だが要を得たサマリー。 これを読んでもまだ、マレーシアは穏健で宗教対立ゼロかつクリスチャンを尊敬する国だ、と言えますか？
5:57 AM · May 24, 2023
（https://twitter.com/ituna4011/status/1661115413332373504）
Lily2@ituna4011
【独自】賽銭箱を蹴り破壊する外国籍の男『神様はアッラーしかいない』と参拝者に発言 | TBS NEWS DIG (1ページ) https://newsdig.tbs.co.jp/articles/-/501143…
⇦ 日本でも発生。以前から東京でも起こったこと。それでも、 そういう人がいただけでしょ？ と言えますか？
6:02 AM · May 24, 2023
☝
神戸市垂水区にある「瑞丘八幡神社」（2023年5月3日撮影）
（2023年5月25日転載終）
…………….
2023年5月29日追記：
Malay Mail（https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2023/05/29/matching-putrajayas-move-sabah-churches-say-dropped-allah-court-case-for-sake-of-national-harmony-and-unity/71483）
Matching Putrajaya’s move, Sabah churches say dropped ‘Allah’ court case for sake of national harmony and unity
The Sabah church SIB’s court case was initially scheduled for hearing today at the High Court, but today’s court records show that the entire lawsuit has been discontinued on April 25 by SIB through a notice of discontinuance. — Picture by Choo Choy May
by Ida Lim
29 May 2023
KUALA LUMPUR, May 29 — A Sabah church’s recent decision to discontinue its case which involved the government’s December 1986 ban on the use of the word “Allah” in Christian publications was done with national harmony and unity in mind, the Sabah Council of Churches (SCC) said today.
The SCC, an umbrella body representing churches in Sabah, said it welcomes the Malaysian government’s April 18 decision to withdraw its appeal against the High Court’s decision in the case involving a Sarawakian Bumiputera Christian, Jill Ireland Lawrence Bill and the same 1986 ban.
The SCC then referred to the Sabah church Sidang Injil Borneo’s (SIB) subsequent move to drop its court case on April 25 as a “reciprocal” act for the sake of harmony.
“Reciprocally and as an expression of our commitment to build a harmonious society, the Church has also withdrawn her case against the government in the case of Jerry W. A. Dusing@Jerry W. Patel & 1 lagi v Menteri Keselamatan Dalam Negeri & 1 Lagi (WA-25-108-11/2016).
“We believe these are positive steps toward strengthening the unity of our beloved multiracial, multireligious nation,” SCC president Most Reverent Datuk Melter Jiki Tais said in a statement.
The Sabah church SIB’s court case was initially scheduled for hearing today at the High Court, but today’s court records show that the entire lawsuit has been discontinued on April 25 by SIB through a notice of discontinuance.
With the discontinuance of the Sabah church’s case, there are now no longer any outstanding court cases in Malaysia involving the local Bahasa Malaysia-speaking Christian community’s use of the word “Allah” — which is part of the language — in the practice of their own religion.
Among other things, the SCC today said the local churches are committed to a harmonious life with all Malaysians.
“The Church has contributed to the nation-building of Malaysia since the formation of the Federation of Malaya and now Malaysia. It has always sought the good and welfare of the society even before Merdeka and we are committed to live in peace and harmony with Malaysians of other religions,” it said.
News of the Malaysian government’s dropping of its appeal in Jill Ireland’s case emerged on May 15, while the Sabah church’s dropping of its case was first reported on May 17.
The Bahasa Malaysia-speaking Sarawak native Jill Ireland’s court case was sparked by the government’s seizure of her eight compact discs — containing the word “Allah” in their titles and meant for her personal religious use.
The High Court had in March 2021 in Jill Ireland’s case quashed the government’s December 1986 ban on the use of the word “Allah” in local Christian publications as being unconstitutional and unlawful, and the Malaysian government dropped its appeal against this decision with the subsequent explanation that it was because the December 1986 directive was inapplicable and that a more comprehensive directive would be studied.
The Sabah church SIB too had sought to challenge the constitutionality of the December 1986 ban, but it has now dropped the entire case.
Read here for a quick summary by Malay Mail of the now-discontinued SIB court case, including how it was sparked by the government’s seizure of educational materials — containing the word “Allah” — meant for the Sabah church’s Christian children.
The word “Allah” is Arabic for God and had been adopted into the Malay language, and had been used for generations and hundreds of years by Malay-speaking Christians in the country — especially the natives or Bumiputera community of Sabah and Sarawak and Orang Asli in the peninsula — in the practice of their religion and professing of their faith.
Among other things, the SCC today also highlighted that the Jill Ireland case would have never had to go to court if the Federal Constitution’s provisions on freedom to practise one’s own religion had been upheld, and if the “assurances and undertakings given to the peoples of Sabah and Sarawak leading to the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) that their religious freedom would be honoured” were also upheld.
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（https://twitter.com/ituna4011/status/1663039634979565568）
Lily2@ituna4011
地元の方々のさらなる反対の声に応援を！
1:28 PM · May 29, 2023
（2023年5月29日転載終）
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2023年5月30日追記：
Malay Mail（https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2023/05/29/let-us-give-input-for-cabinets-allah-use-proposal-to-rulers-sabah-churches-suggest/71513）
Let us give input for Cabinet’s ‘Allah’ use proposal to Rulers, Sabah churches suggest
The Sabah Council of Churches today suggested that the federal government’s Cabinet can consider input from local churches when preparing proposals to the Conference of Rulers on the use of the word ‘Allah’ in Malaysia. — Picture by Shafwan Zaidon
by Ida Lim
29 May 2023
KUALA LUMPUR, May 29 — The federal government’s Cabinet can consider input from local churches when preparing proposals to the Conference of Rulers on the use of the word “Allah” in Malaysia, the Sabah Council of Churches (SCC) suggested today.
SCC president Most Reverent Datuk Melter Jiki Tais today said the local church has contributed to Malaysia’s nation-building since even before the country was formed and during the Federation of Malaya’s formation, and suggested that local churches be allowed to contribute their views for Cabinet’s consideration.
“It has always sought the good and welfare of the society even before Merdeka and we are committed to live in peace and harmony with Malaysians of other religions. We welcome the efforts of the Cabinet to make proposals to the Majlis Raja-Raja on the use of the word ‘Allah’.
“We want to propose that input from Christian ministers from Sabah and Sarawak as well as the representative councils and associations of churches, both at the Federal and Wilayah level, to be taken into account by including them into the discussion and process,” he said in the statement issued on behalf of the SCC.
“We believe this issue should be resolved amicably without depriving any person the rights to profess and practice his religion freely as guaranteed by the Federal Constitution,” he added.
The SCC represents churches in Sabah, while there are also other umbrella bodies representing local churches such as the Association of Churches in Sarawak (ACS) and the Council of Churches of Malaysia (CCM).
The term “Wilayah” refers to the Malaysian government’s intention to recognise Sabah and Sarawak as territories or entities who decided with the separate entity of Federation of Malaya to form Malaysia back in 1963. Malaysia amended its Federal Constitution’s Article 1(2) to define Sabah and Sarawak as “Borneo States” instead of just merely states, and this constitutional amendment took effect on February 11, 2022.
In other words, the SCC is proposing that the views of churches at the national level and from Sabah and Sarawak be taken into account.
On May 17, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced that the Cabinet had obtained the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s royal assent to present proposals to strengthen the enforcement of policy regarding the word “Allah” to the Conference of Rulers, with the intention of resolving the matter in a more comprehensive manner while also strengthening unity and harmony among the different religions and races in Malaysia.
High Court ruling in Jill Ireland case not just for Sarawak, SCC says
Apart from expressing readiness to contribute views to the Cabinet, the SCC welcomed the Malaysian government’s recent withdrawal of its appeal in a Sarawakian Christian Bumiputera’s case, and said a Sabah church had recently dropped its court case — which involved similar issues after the government seized its educational materials meant for the church’s Christian children — to match the government’s move and for the sake of national harmony and unity.
The Bahasa Malaysia-speaking Sarawak native Jill Ireland Lawrence Bill’s court case was sparked by the government’s seizure of her eight compact discs — containing the word “Allah” in their titles and meant for her personal religious use.
The High Court had in March 2021 in Jill Ireland’s case quashed the government’s December 1986 ban on the use of the word “Allah” in “all Christian publications in this country” as being unconstitutional and unlawful.
The High Court’s 2021 decision did not touch on theology or religious debate, but was based purely on legal issues, as well as evidence presented in court which documented the use of the word “Allah” in Christian publications in Malay as early as the year 1629.
Following the government’s withdrawal of its appeal against the High Court’s decision in Jill Ireland’s case, Anwar was reported saying that the High Court’s decision applies only in Sarawak.
In response to Anwar’s remark, the SCC said it is obvious that the Home Ministry’s Publications Control Division’s December 5, 1986 circular — which prohibited the use of the word “Allah” in Christian publications in Malaysia — “applied to the whole of Malaysia, not just Sarawak”, and said this would meant the High Court’s quashing of the December 1986 ban would also take effect nationwide.
“Therefore, the High Court’s declaration of it being unlawful and unconstitutional likewise applies to the whole nation, including Sabah and not just Sarawak.
“To hold any view otherwise would render an absurd result: i.e. a Sarawakian or Sabahan Christian carrying publications with the word ‘Allah’ in them, travels from East Malaysia to Semenanjung Malaysia would immediately be considered in possession of prohibited publications on arrival!” the SCC said, referring to Sabah and Sarawak as East Malaysia and to Peninsular Malaysia as Semenanjung Malaysia.
Sabahans and Sarawakians — which would include Bahasa Malaysia-speaking Christian natives — have been known to study, work, live in Peninsular Malaysia, just like other Malaysians who migrate or travel to different states for such purposes.
The Cabinet’s 10-point solution in 2011 on bibles in Bahasa Malaysia, Bahasa Indonesia and the indigenous languages of Sabah and Sarawak had recognised this fact, with one of its 10 points stating: “In the spirit of 1Malaysia and recognising that many people travel between Sabah and Sarawak and Peninsula Malaysia, there should be no prohibitions and restrictions for people who bring along their bibles and Christian materials on such travel.”
The Federal Constitution’s Article 11 provides for every person to have the right to profess and practise their religion, while saying however that Article 11 “does not authorise any act contrary to any general law relating to public order, public health or morality”, and that state laws and laws for the federal territories can be created to control the spread of any religious doctrine or belief among Muslims.
Referring to the Article 11(1) guarantee of freedom to profess one own’s religion, the SCC today said: “It is clear that the practice and profession of one’s faith in whatever language, including Bahasa Malaysia, is assured and indeed authorized unless such is an act contrary to any general law relating to public order, public health or morality.”
In the Jill Ireland case, the High Court disagreed that the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 — which the Home Ministry used to issue the December 1986 circular banning the word “Allah” in local Christian publications — is a “general law” on public order that can be used to restrict religious freedom. The High Court said the December 1986 directive had breached the Article 11(1) guarantee of religious freedom.
Apart from declaring the Home Ministry’s December 1986 directive as unconstitutional, the High Court had also declared Jill Ireland has the constitutional right under Article 11 and other constitutional provisions to import the seized publications (in the form of the eight CDs) in exercising her right to practise her religion and her right to education.
The High Court had also made a declaration under Article 8 that Jill Ireland is guaranteed equality before the law and is protected from being discriminated on the grounds of religion in the administration of the law — specifically the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 and Customs Act 1967.
“The personal liberty to practice one’s religion within the Federation of Malaysia must therefore include the possession and use of any publications to that effect,” the SCC said.
The SCC today also suggested that the Jill Ireland case should have never had to go to court in the first place if the Federal Constitution’s provisions — including on freedom to practise one’s own religion — had been upheld in both the letter and spirit of the law, and if the “assurances and undertakings given to the peoples of Sabah and Sarawak leading to the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) that their religious freedom would be honoured” were also upheld.
“The word Allah as a referent to God had always been perfectly legitimate and it cannot be that 60 years after Malaysia, the right to use it is still being contested,” the SCC said.
The word “Allah” is Arabic for God and had been adopted into the Malay language even before Malaysia’s formation, and had been used for generations and hundreds of years by Malay-speaking Christians in the country — especially the natives or Bumiputera community of Sabah and Sarawak and Orang Asli in the peninsula — in the practice of their religion and professing of their faith.
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（2023年5月30日転載終）
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2023年6月9日追記：
（https://www.asianews.it/news-en/Sultan-of-Pahang-puts-on-hold-the-use-of-the-word-%27Allah%27-by-Christians-58534.html）
6 June 2023,
Sultan of Pahang puts on hold the use of the word ‘Allah’ by Christians
by Steve Suwannarat
6 June 2023
The current head of the Malaysian federation speaks out after the government drops an appeal against a court ruling that allows non-Muslim publications to use the word. Now some believe the use by non-Muslims might be restricted to Sarawak and Sabah, the two states on Borneo Island where the Christian presence is strongest. The controversy has been politicised for years.
Kuala Lumpur (AsiaNews) – Malaysia’s head of state, Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah of Pahang, has spoken out on the controversial use of the world Allah, God, in the Malay language, by non-Muslims.
In Malaysia, the head of state – the Yang di-Pertuan Agong or Supreme Head of the Federation (unofficially the King of Malaysia) – is chosen for a five-year term by the Conference of Rulers from among the nine Malaysian states (out of 13) who have a hereditary head of state. The sultans are also head of religion (Islam).
Yesterday, Malaysia’s national news agency BERNAMA reported that the Sultan of Pahang was concerned about the controversy surrounding the use of the word Allah, and that for him, it was not a debate about terminology or linguistics but a matter of faith for the Muslim community and that any persistent confusion poses serious risks.
“My government must harmonise the current situation and at the same time, place the use of the word Allah in the right context by taking into account national security, the benefit of the ummah as well as my position and the position of other Malay Rulers as heads of Islam,” King Abdullah of Pahang said during a federal awards ceremony on his official birthday at the National Place, the monarch’s official residence in the capital Kuala Lumpur.
The debate revolves around the Arabic word Allah, God, which has been incorporated into the Malay language. Over several decades, its use by non-Muslim minorities when speaking Malay has been opposed by some Muslims, more so in recent years after some radical Islamist groups sought to ban ethnic and religious minorities from using it altogether.
The latest flareup comes on the heels of an announcement on 15 May by the federal government that it would withdraw its appeal against a ruling allowing Christians to use the word Allah, including in their publications.
A week later, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said that the government would streamline conflicting regulations regarding the use of the word Allah by non-Muslims.
The government is likely to ban its use by non-Muslims in Malaysia’s peninsular states (where Islam is the majority religion), but will allow it in the states – Sarawak and Sabah – located on Borneo Island, where the Christian community is concentrated.
In the Malay language, the deity is defined in various ways, but Allah has been in use for centuries, by Christians as well.
The distinction in the use that the authorities have pursued in courts stems from the push by successive post-independence governments to have Malaysia’s Islamic clearly recognised (even if Islam is the religion of just over half of the population).
In 2009, a court banned Herald Malaysia, the country’s Catholic weekly, from using Allah to refer to the Christian God. The ruling was overturned by a higher court, which the government appealed.
Since then, the issue has become highly politicised, exacerbating a debate that remains ongoing.
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2023年10月4日追記：
Aliran（https://m.aliran.com/thinking-allowed-online/holy-books-and-politicians-the-great-disconnect-in-malaysia）
What is all this drama about here in Malaysia?
by JD Lovrenciear
3 October 2023
Once again, we are debating and getting all knotted up with a case of whether politicians should be barred from quoting verses in the holy books, like the Quran.
Perhaps the following thoughts might help light up our tunnelled views.
All holy books are not the sole property of humankind, let alone nations, governments and politicians.
Barring or banning followers of one religion from quoting verses of another religion’s holy book is akin to walking the plank with blinkers.
If we take this path of stopping politicians from quoting from a holy book that is not of the religion they profess, then why are we printing and distributing copies of the holy books the world over?
Why are the holy books of the various religions translated and published the world over for centuries and distributed free in the public domain?
Even Malaysia printed and distributed thousands of the Holy Quran for free to various parts of the world so that non-Muslims could read it and be familiar with its contents.
In many hotel rooms worldwide, you are bound to find a copy of a holy book, such as the Bible or the Quran or the Bhagavad Gita, in the drawer.
So what is all this drama about here in Malaysia – arguing, debating, demanding and raising a ruckus over one non-Muslim politician who quoted a verse from the Holy Quran?
We do not need a philosopher to tell us that if someone has wrongly cited a verse from a holy book, point out the error to him or her. This will also give everyone the chance to be rightly informed.
After all, even the followers of a particular religion might wrongly quote verses from the holy book of their own religion. So are we also going to ban them for that? And punish them too?
Furthermore, wouldn’t we want to appreciate that even religious leaders or those schooled in their own religion of birth or conversion may – in fact, do – wrongly quote verses from their holy books. So, what are we going to do with such cases then? Punish them with a ban too?
When will we come around to realise that all the holy books embrace all things that weave the four paradigms of human civilisation – the political, social, economic and environmental aspects of society.
Hence, no one, including politicians, should be stopped from quoting from any of the holy books.
Of course, one who quotes wrongly must owe up and make amends upon being corrected.
If there was ill will or a dubious intention in wrongly quoting from a holy book, then public opinion is enough to permanently scar that erroneous person.
In fact, if a non-Muslim quotes from the Holy Quran or if a Muslim quotes a verse from a holy book other than the Holy Quran, we should be inspired by the thought that here is a living soul taking the trouble to appreciate the value of truth.
Ego requiem meam causa (I rest my case).
The views expressed in Aliran’s media statements and the NGO statements we have endorsed reflect Aliran’s official stand. Views and opinions expressed in other pieces published here do not necessarily reflect Aliran’s official position.
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