SHAH ALAM - Muslim religious and Christian leaders are encouraged to engage in a harmonious dialogue to address the sensitive issue surrounding the use of the word "Allah," which has sparked controversy recently.
International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilisation (Istac) lecturer Professor Datuk Dr Wan Ahmad Fauzi Wan Husain suggested that both followers of the religions could be provide their respective.
"This recommendation is appropriate because Islam recognises the Gospel revealed to Prophet Jesus who also shares many names that have a similar identity with the apostles mentioned in the Quran.
"The dialogue can focus on the nature of Allah that Muslims believe in with the God written in the Bible," he said in a statement, today.
Wan Ahmad Fauzi added the outcome of the dialogue can serve as valuable input for formulating relationship policies among religious believers within the framework of the Federal Constitution and the personal laws of Muslims.
Touching on the use of the word Allah among Christians, he said, Allah is a special name in Islamic teachings.
He explained that the word Allah is not a Malay translation of 'God', but instead refers to the name of God in Islamic teachings.
"If adherents of religions other than Islam want to use the Malay language in their worship, the translation of the word 'God' is 'Tuhan'," he said.