THE government of Malaysia will release 35,000 Malay-language Bibles that were held up by customs officials but with a caveat – they will not be used for ‘conversion’ in the country.
Government official had blocked the distribution of the Scriptures, because they use the word ‘Allah’ for God.
Speaking to BBC News, Rev. Hermen Shastri, general secretary of the Council of Churches of Malaysia, said: “We maintain the position that it is an inalienable right for Christians to read their scriptures in any language…That’s a basic human right.”
Last year, a court ruling gave Christians the right to use the word ‘Allah’ in their printed materials. However, the government has challenged that ruling because they said it would be confusing for Muslims.
Reports said the Malaysian prime minister’s office said the government chose to release the Bibles because it was ‘committed to resolve amicably any inter-faith issues.’ It also said this decision would not jeopardize any future resolution of the larger legal conflict.
However, before their release the Bibles will be stamped, ‘For Christians Only.’ This is apparently to prevent anyone from trying to convert Muslims.
