Oh my Allah!

This 'Allah' fiasco is not a new issue. In fact, it's been talked about and highlighted publicly for some years now.

The first time I commented on it was a short video documentary I was commissioned to do for a Dutch news agency called VJ Movement several years ago.

And that wasn't the last either. I have also given my opinion on the issue several times in my columns and writings.

For those who are familiar with my work (here's a symptom of my illusions of grandeur - thinking that I have a following!), it would be no surprise what my opinion on the matter is.

Recently, the newly appointed Vatican envoy to Malaysia, Archbishop Joseph Marino, stated in an interview that he supported the call for the word 'Allah' to be used by non-Muslims in the country.

I don't see the problem in his comments. I support the use of the word 'Allah' by Christians in the country. In fact, there is proof that the word is used by many non-Muslims all around the world (even before Islam existed!).

It's an Arabic word which means 'God'. It's like the Malay word 'Tuhan'. It's like the Cantonese word 'San'. It's like the Tamil word 'Kadavul'. In fact, it's all exactly the same.

In all the Arabic speaking Arab countries that I have visited (Syria, Jordan, Egypt, Tunisia, UAE, Qatar, Lebanon), the people use the word 'Allah' to mean God no matter what religion they are.

Actually, one does not need to go so far. Just take a quick trip to Sabah and pay a visit to any church there and be prepared for a huge shock!

And if you want to think about it, Christianity and Islam (along with that other Abrahamic faith - Judaism), have the same God, goddamit!

So I cannot, for the life of me, comprehend why so many Muslims in Malaysia think that the word 'Allah' is exclusively for their use only.

Then there are these cabinet ministers in the country who say that the Archbishop shouldn't have commented on something that was considered an internal national issue.

Hello! The last time I checked, issues regarding major world religions didn't belong to Malaysia. If I'm not mistaken (and I know I'm not!), Allah has stated that Islam is a religion for all, not just Malays.

And, knowing how important education is to the Vatican, the Archbishop probably has more knowledge of Islam compared to the many Muslims in Malaysia.

A quick background check shows that he has several university degrees under his belt, and amongst them is one in theology (which is the study of the different concepts of God).

These cabinet ministers also mentioned that it is inappropriate for him to comment on something that is still being debated in the country.

Has it even been debated at all throughout the years? As far as I can see, no discussion or discourse has taken place at all over the issue.

The issue has always faced a dead end everytime it is raised, as it is just shut down by those who are in power without any consultation or logical reason.

Why do I feel so strongly about this? It's because this involves the basic human and constitutional right of freedom of religion.

But most of all, because I feel offended that those who object to the use of the word 'Allah' by non-Muslims gives Malay Muslims an image that we are ignorant and that our faith is fragile.

If they are so worried that a mere word can threaten people's faith, then maybe they should treat the disease rather than the symptom - proper religious education and understanding.