Wan Hilmi (loyarburok.com)

When a religious controversy arises, there will be a lot of hoo-ha among Malaysians no matter how unproductive it is to debate about it.

While Primer Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and his Cabinet members are trying so hard to promote unity through their 1 Malaysia concept, there is, arguably, zero tolerance among Malaysians when it comes to religious and/or racial issues despite the fact that we have been living together for more than 50 years. Does this show that the 1 Malaysia concept has failed to achieve its objective?

The most recent controversy is the usage of the word Allah in Bahasa Malaysia bibles. In my humble opinion, this so-called controversy is a non-issue provided you have fairness, justice, rationality and reasonableness in mind.

Despite the clear provision of Article 11 of the Federal Constitution which guarantees freedom of religion, there are still individuals and bodies acting against it, showing how childish and foolish some can be. The Majlis Agama Islam Selangor (MAIS), alongside with the Selangor Sultans decree, prohibited the use of the word Allah by all Christians.

There are also certain individuals who claim Allah to be a term exclusive to Muslims only. The Perak mufti stated: Do not continue challenging, insulting Islam. It is submitted that Christians should not be prohibited from using the word Allah in their Bahasa Malaysia version of the Bible because to do so would be limiting and restricting the right of Christians to manage and practise their own religion.

Just imagine if Muslims were a minority in Malaysia where they would be prohibited from calling the Azan using a loudspeaker, prohibited from performing Friday prayers as it causes traffic congestion would these prohibitions not be frustrating to Muslims, if they were to exist?

Freedom of religion, in my opinion, is not just about allowing any religion to be in existence. It also includes, but is not limited to, how religions are to be managed and practised by their respective followers. My argument is premised on two notions the constitutional point of view and the Islamic point of view.

From the constitutional point of view, it is absolutely clear that Article 11 of the Federal Constitution guarantees and protects freedom of religion. Article 11(1) states:

Every person has the right to profess and practise his religion and, subject to Clause (4), to propagate it.

Read more:

Freedom of religion at stake in Malaysia