Common sense in an uncommon degree is what the world calls wisdom.
– Samuel Taylor Coleridge, English poet
“… ‘common sense’ …” said Bishop of Anglican Church in Sarawak and Brunei, Datuk Danald Jute.
The ‘common sense’ Bishop Danald Jute was referring to here relates to the ruling made by Justice Datuk Nor Bee Ariffin on March 10 2021, whereby it was declared that the 1986 directive issued by the Home Ministry banning the use of the word ‘Allah’ in Christian publications is unlawful and unconstitutional.
This, I am sure, was a much-awaited outcome by Sarawakian, Jill Ireland Lawrence Bill.
The court also affirmed her constitutional right to education and religious practice.
It further affirmed her constitutional guarantee against discrimination on religious grounds.
Briefly, her ordeal began on March 11 2008, when her eight CDs for personal Christian religious education with the word ‘Allah’ in the titles was confiscated at Sepang Airport due to them being classified as part of prohibited terms.
On August 20, 2008, Jill Ireland initiated a case in the High Court against the Home Minister and Government of Malaysia seeking the return of her CDs and sought a declaration of her constitutional rights.
The Court of Appeal on June 23, 2015 ordered the return of her CDs and sent the constitutional issues back to the High Court.
After 13 years of waiting, Jill Ireland received justice via a ‘common sense’ decision upholding her constitutional rights.
Bishop Danald Jute very correctly pointed out that the decision “is not and must not be construed or interpreted as being a victory by one person or groups of persons over another”.
Personally, I would say that this decision allowing non-Muslims to use the word ‘Allah’ is a move towards national unity.
There used to be many varieties of headline news items that were at the forefront of politics in Malaysia before the Covid-19 pandemic landed on our shores.
The Covid-19 pandemic news to some extent drove some of these issues below the surface and onto ‘slow boil’.
One such issue that was always on the headlines were issues about religious sentiment or sensitivities of one sort or another — either real or perceived.
There was always some colourful religious or racial character stirring matters up. The Covid-19 virus seems to have quietened them down, at least for a while.
However, some have started stirring from their slumber as they have objected to this latest ruling lifting the ban on the use of the word ‘Allah’.
For far too long, our communities have been locked in a battle over the usage of the Arabic word ‘Allah’.
Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Masing after the ruling stated: “We must bear in mind that the use of the word ‘Allah’ precedes Islam. Thus, the term ‘Allah’ is not the sole custodian of those who profess Islamic faith.”
I would also like to add that in the Guru Grant Sahib, the Holy Book for the Sikhs, the term ‘Allah’ is used numerous times in its original form and not as a translation. No man-made law can outlaw the religious text of a holy book from an established religion.
It is important for politicians not to pander and play up to racial and religious chauvinistic sentiments to garner votes. Otherwise, there will be no permanent solution to the matter of unity.
Ideally, religions should not be institutionalised into government systems.
Any religion, when incorporated into political and government machinery, has a tendency to eventually move towards a theocratic type state over a period of time.
This, in turn, leads to myopic views, attitudes, values and expectations about the world around us.
Once this myopic worldview takes over our every thought and action it inevitably leads to religious bigotry and potentially radicalisation of some segments of society.
History is littered with examples where virtually all religions at one time or another were hijacked to achieve certain agendas.
In Sarawak, this latest ruling has been commended by all its leaders.
Our Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg has on many occasions reiterated his commitment towards a united Sarawak made up of all the races and religions and his actions are plain to see.
The Unit for Other Religions (Unifor) and the Chief Minister’s financial grants to religious places of worship are the most obvious example of this important commitment.
A political leadership that constantly reminds all the communities of the need to accept each other’s diversity is essential to maintain peace and stability.
Let us all make sure common sense becomes common again.
The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the New Sarawak Tribune.
