Why some Christians want to worship Allah

Malay-speaking Chrisians have long used the word “Allah” to signify God; the word entered the Malay language in the medieval era with the arrival of Arabic-speaking merchants. But in Malaysia’s complex, fragmented social landscape, historic realities often rub up against modern politics. Malaysian authorities pursuing the case say that Christian usage of the term presents a dangerous blurring of lines.

An umbrella group of Christian denominations in the country claims that the ruling only applies to the Herald, a Catholic weekly newspaper originally involved in the legal proceedings, and that they will continue invoking Allah in their religious activities. But that is little comfort to some. “[The ruling] will confine the freedom of worship,” said the Rev. Lawrence Andrew, the editor of the Herald. “We are a minority in this country, and when our rights are curtailed, people feel it.”

Malaysia styles itself as a kind of Asian crossroads, its multi-ethnic, multi-faith population of Malays, Chinese and Indians an embodiment of the wider continent. But the controversy over the case reflects the longstanding tensions between the country’s majority Muslim population and its religious minorities.