Nik Aziz makes u-turn over word “Allah”

(Bernama) – Kelantan Menteri Besar Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, who previously agreed that “Allah” could be used in Bibles, has made a U-turn in his stand by clarifying why the word cannot be used by non-Muslims.

The PAS Syura Council last night decided that non-Muslims should not use the word in translation of their religious texts, but are free to use it orally following outcry from the Muslim community over Nik Abdul Aziz and PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang’s stand.

Nik Abdul Aziz, who attended the council’s meeting, said the council’s decision was made out of fear that if “Allah” was used in Bibles, the meaning would run contrary to the actual meaning understood by Muslims.

“There is only one God. The Almighty. If other religions have one or more God, that’s ridiculous. If they want to use it, it is wrong,” he told reporters on his return from Kuala Lumpur at the Sultan Ismail Petra Airport, Pengkalan Chepa here, today.

The controversy erupted after DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng, in his Christmas message, urged the federal government to allow Christians to use ‘Allah’ in the Bahasa Malaysia version of the Bible.

PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang drew the flak when he said Islam did not restrict non-Muslims from using the word “Allah” as long they did not misuse it to the extent of confusing Muslims.

Nik Abdul Aziz, who is PAS spiritual leader, said the Christians, who believed in the Trinity, could not use the word at all for it was against the actual meaning.

In its decision, the PAS Syura Council said the Arabic word cannot be translated into or translated from other languages for it is a specific word used to refer the Muslims’ God.