Let's not be Stupid.

I'm no religious scholar, I might not even be a smart enough person to be commenting on this, but like I've always believed; everyone is entitled to their own opinions. They might choose not to say it out loud, post it as a facebook status, blog about it or hold debates on the issue. Nonetheless, everyone has their own take on a certain issue, and here are my thoughts on recent events that have taken place in MY country.

They say it started when the Herald used the word "Allah" in one of their publications. Being Catholics, Muslim scholars believe that they can't use the word "Allah" because it is meant for the Muslims and the religion of Islam.

From The Star, Friday, January 4th.

"It was only proper for other religions to use the word "God" and not "Allah" when referring to their God in respective beliefs, Abdullah said, adding that the use of the word “Allah” shall not be made a public debate that may give the impression as if there is no freedom of religion in the country."

and in the same article...

"On Dec 31, the publication’s editor Father Lawrence Andrew said the weekly was allowed to continue printing its Bahasa Malaysia section with no restriction on the use of the word “Allah” for God."

So, I did some research, (I can be a doofus when it comes to religion, so yeah, research is good!)

Apparently, "Allah" means God in Arabic. So, in the Middle East, the issue of who can and cannot use "Allah" to refer to God, well, has never occurred. Because Arab Christians use "Allah" to refer to God in Arabic bibles.

Exhibit A:

In Arabic :

Qu'ran 1:1 - English translation]

"In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful."

[Qur'ân 1:1 - Arabic transliteration]

"Bismi-Allahi ar-Rahmani, ar-Raheem"

[Qur'ân 1:1 - Arabic]

Even I know this, because we learnt it in school.

But I didn't know this, Exhibit B:

[Genesis 1:1 - English Bible - King James Version]

"In the beginning God created the Heaven and the Earth . . . "

[Genesis 1:1 - Arabic transliteration]

"Fee al-badi' khalaqa Allahu as-Samaawaat wa al-Ard . . . "

[Genesis 1:1 - Arabic Bible]

Still not convinced? Exhibit C:

[Luke 1:30 - English Bible - King James Version]

" . . . Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor with God."

[Luke 1:30 - Arabic transliteration]

" . . . Laa takhaafee, yaa Maryam, li-annaki qad wajadti ni'amat(an) i'nda Allahi."

[Luke 1:30 - Arabic Bible]

Okay, so...even if I am wrong about this. There is no reason for the whole country to go about it tooth and nail. If the ruling is such that they can't use the word "Allah" in their future publications. Then so be it. The ruling has already been done. There shouldn't be anymore debates, speculations or pointing of fingers on the issue anymore. Let it be.

There is absolutely NO REASON for people to go about burning down churches or protesting anymore. What has been done, has already been done. Let it go, already! If you think that attacking mosques is something that no one should do, then you shouldn't attack churches either. Places of worship are sacred, no matter what the religion is and that is what we have been taught ever since we were children. Especially the religion of Islam. We have been taught to respect others and their respective religions, as per agreed upon in the Medina Charter (Piagam Madinah), drafted by our Prophet Muhammad S.A.W.

If we are trying hard to prove to the world that Islam is not a religion of terror, well, we're kinda failing. So come on, get some brains. Think about it. A pebble in the water makes a ripple effect. The actions of some may lead to the destruction of all.

And that's what I think.