Kuala Lumpur, Jan 25 – Institutions of higher learning should play a role in clarifying the usage of the word, ‘Allah’, by Christians in the country as they are equipped with expert knowledge based on research, as well as a clear understanding of the Quranic text.
Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia (UIAM) president Tan Sri Dr Rais Yatim said, through facts and expertise available in a university, the issue could be more clearly presented to the people.
“At universities, there are experts to argue and put to use knowledge which should not necessarily be on paper. UIAM will attempt to do so and similarly, other universities could also contribute,” he told reporters here Friday.
He said UIAM needed to come up with an argument based on accurate Quranic text that the usage of the word, ‘Allah’, was only for Muslims.
“At universities, we have the capability to do so, it is just that we seldom speak up to protect our beliefs,” he said after a Maulidur Rasul celebration at UIAM in Gombak here.
– Bernama
