Should the use of the term Allah be an issue?

Should the use of the term Allah be an issue?
By Bob Yong
The constant harassment by the government and the religious bodies to restrict the publisher of the Catholic Herald to use the word Allah in the Bahasa Malaysia of the Bible version had caused injustice to non-Muslims. Christians view this as a violation of the Federal Constitutions.
The Malaysia Muslims argued that the word Allah which means God is the exclusive use by Muslims is hard for right thinking people to comprehend and has become a laughing stock of the world. To begin with, the word Allah is Arabic in origin. Not a single Arabic country has ever objected to its use in other counties. As a matter of fact, the word Allah has been used a long time ago well before Malaya got its independence.
Christian Bible is translated into many languages and can be downloaded from internet without restrictions and difficulties. It is mind boggling as to why our authorities seem fit to classify Bible in BM version under Section 22 of the Internal Security Act. Why and how the Holy Scripture has been viewed as a threat to the security of our country?
Freedom of choice to embrace and practice any religion of our choice is guaranteed in the Federal Constitution. Nothing is mentioned in it that the use of the word Allah is prohibited. Sikhs in Malaysia use Allah in their prayers too and so have many other countries.
Believing in any religion and praying to Almighty, I believe will enhance ones own well being and will bring peace and prosperity to our country. It does not matter whether I use Allah or God or Shen (Mandarin) or Rab (Sikhs) in my prayer.
But one thing is clear in my mind that religion is not to be mixed with politics. Politicians are not Allah and they should not behave like one. Allah is happier if we, irrespective our religious belief and cultural backgrounds, pray as One Malaysia.
Now let’s pray for peace and understanding.