The Vatican's first envoy to Malaysia is stirring controversy by supporting local Catholics in the use of the "Allah" for God. This has drawn the ire of the Muslim groups Jati and Perkasa in this Muslim majority country who want Christians to use some other word for God. Personally, I think the Christians should distance themselves from Islam as much as possible.
Malay Groups Give Ultimatum to Vatican Envoy - Apologise or Get Out
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| Archbishop Marino |
Jati and Perkasa have given seven days
to the Vatican's first envoy to Malaysia to retract his support of
the local Catholic Church using "Allah" to describe God or
the Malay-Muslim groups will push for his ouster.
Both groups said they would urge
Putrajaya to close Vatican Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Joseph
Marino's office and remove the papal representative from his post in
the country if his statement is not retracted.
"We strongly criticise the
statement made by Archbishop Marino," Jati president Datuk Hasan
Ali told a press conference in Kuala Lumpur today.
"The diplomat has misused his
immunity by interfering with matters of the country," he added.
Perkasa’s president Datuk Ibrahim Ali
(pic) wants the public and Archbishop Marino to be clear on three
things.
“First, we criticise his statement.
Second, he has seven days to retract his statement,” said Ibrahim.
“Third, if he fails to do so, we will
urge the government to shut the embassy and chase him out.
“He has to mind his words,” added
Ibrahim.
The two groups said they felt offended
by Archbishop Marino’s statement and reiterated that he should
first understand the history and usage of the word “Allah”.
“He has only been here for a month
and half and already he has caused us so much concern,” said Hasan.
“What more two years?” he asked.
Ibrahim said that as a Muslim, Prime
Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak should send a message to Malaysians.
“I urge Najib to show firmness as a
representative of Umno and as prime minister,” said Ibrahim.
Archbishop Marino had in his first
interview with the local media responded to questions on his opinion
regarding the usage of Allah in texts.
