Subj: Malaysia: Bible ban lifted

Malaysia: Bible ban lifted.

We are very pleased to announce that after a meeting on Wednesday 23 April between Malaysian Christian leaders and Malaysia’s Acting Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, the ban on the Iban-language Bible has been lifted.

As reported in the New Straits Times on Friday 25 April, “National Evangelical Christian Fellowship of Malaysia secretary-general Reverend Wong Kim Kong said the lifting of the ban was evidence of Malaysian leaders’ religious tolerance. ‘We are very relieved and happy. It reflects the Government’s willingness to accommodate others’ religious needs and practices with respect and honour.’ Malaysian Bar Council president Kuthubul Zaman Bukhari said the move showed that the Government was responsive to the concerns of the people.”

Acting Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said the issue in question – the use of the word Allah Tala for God in the Iban language – had been resolved and so the ban could be lifted with immediate effect. The Star quoted Acting Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawias saying, “When I consulted the Council of Churches, I was told the word had been used by the community as a reference to God for a very long time. There is no reason to ban it (Bup Kudus) and cause anger among the community.”

This is a victory for constructive dialogue and religious liberty, as well as an answer to the prayers of many. (Proverbs 29:26)

– Elizabeth Kendal

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