I don’t have time to go into the background of this issue. As everyone knows, the “Allah” issue in Malaysia has just caused much misunderstanding and mistrust. If you don’t know, just google it. Many difference incidences have led up to what we see today, many differing and opposing views have been expressed, and all I can say is, what more do you expect when two cousin-religions collide over ownership?
I also don’t have the time to neatly put this into a structured article so I will just give these points as they come:
1) it is not a time to be defensive against people groups
For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 6:12 NLT)
2) it is not a time to choose a side between Christian or Muslim
Instead choose God’s side. The reason I say this is because both sides of the divide are unfortunately laden with political influences and agendas.
3) It is not a time to be surprised
As for the case in Malaysia, we shouldn’t be surprised at this occurrence; since we have been praying for revival, don’t be surprised that it is preceded by persecution. I think the pattern is there, before big revival, big persecution. Because when we claim ground, devil will also try to claim ground.
4) Don’t focus prayer on justice or revenge
Rather pray for wisdom and opportunity.
“Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. So be as shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves. But beware! For you will be handed over to the courts and will be flogged with whips in the synagogues. You will stand trial before governors and kings because you are my followers. But this will be your opportunity to tell the rulers and other unbelievers about me. When you are arrested, don’t worry about how to respond or what to say. God will give you the right words at the right time. For it is not you who will be speaking—it will be the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine. If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it. “Anyone who receives you receives me, and anyone who receives me receives the Father who sent me. If you receive a prophet as one who speaks for God, you will be given the same reward as a prophet. And if you receive righteous people because of their righteousness, you will be given a reward like theirs. And if you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely be rewarded.” (Matthew 10:16-20, 38-42 NLT)
5) Remember that in trying to defend A WORD, it is not defending THE WORD of God.
I have another whole explanation on why Allah is not a word worth fighting over because there are many more beautiful names of God in the Malay language that should be used (I will take some time to pen it).
Yes, I know some people will tell me that we can’t just let authorities take over that word since certain language groups have been using it even before the Malaysia was birth, etc… I have this explained in another section.
All I can say is that the solution to this issue is not as simple as stating who used the word first. I can assure you that fighting it out using the legal process will always leave some party unsettled. Using religious and historical references is pointless because both sides do not accept each others’ point of view.
Neither am I saying that we should just accept whatever happens.
What I can say for sure is that, trying to claim or defend this word, is a distraction to the work of reaching out and showing the love of Christ.
What I know that every Christian can do is to maintain the Christ-like testimony that Jesus showed of while eating and living amongst the Gentiles of His time and let the love of Christ do its work and win.
What the people of Malaysia are is very much like the time of Jesus, multi-cultural. He can do what Christ did, eat with them, talk with them, love them.
6) Finally, stop posting stuff about it
And hoping to have interesting discussions and comments passed from “friends”. The moment you put something online, you are inviting the whole world to comment and say their peace, whether they be Christians, Muslims, observers, people for peace, people who slander, saboteurs, agent provocateurs, etc… Having discussions with a world-wide audience just isn’t edifying for the Christian community nor for the relationships we have with others. It’s called attention-seeking, not peace-making.
Miaowkat's Blog 