Quiet!

Yesterday, a Malaysian Court ruled that only Muslims can use the name ‘Allah’. It is indeed a shocking ruling! Because if this verdict had been given by someone else it may not have caused such a stir, such fatwas are issued routinely. But the Court...?!

Nevertheless, there are many points to this issue which call for deliberation. Firstly, what if a Christian or Hindu wishes to remember Allah with all his heart, then can he not do so? Doesn’t such an act amount to restricting Allah instead of spreading His name far and wide?

Okay, let’s leave this aside. But, if Benjamin Franklin would have said - I have surely discovered electricity, but only Christians will be entitled to use it, then what would have happened? Upon inventing the light bulb, if Thomas Edison had announced that it can only be used in America, then what could have been the scenario? When Science is so large-hearted and compassionate, then shouldn’t religion be even more benevolent?!

And the third point which always leaves me bewildered is, in their heart-of-hearts, majority of the Muslims don’t support such decrees, but they don’t come forth openly. When they themselves are not standing up for their own future, then why would someone else?!