*Muskens believes that God knows His name in all languages* [image: Catholic News Agency] <http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/>
Dutch bishop: Call God '*Allah*' Thu, 16 Aug 2007 20:25:52 Source: Agencies http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=10124 *Dutch Bishop: 'Allah' is a very beautiful word to use instead of the word 'God'* *A Roman Catholic Bishop in the Netherlands has proposed people of all faiths refer to God as Allah to foster understanding among religions. * Amsterdam, Aug 15, 2007 / 09:15 am (CNA <http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/> ).- Bishop Martinus Muskens of Breda, Netherlands, suggested in an interview with Radio Netherlands that Christians should refer to God as Allah, which would promote better relations with Muslims. The 71-year-old Bishop, Tiny Muskens, told Radio Netherlands that God did not mind what he was named and that in Indonesia, where he had spent eight years, priests used the word "Allah" while celebrating Mass. Bishop Muskens "Allah is a very beautiful word for God. Shouldn't we all say that from now on we will name God Allah?" The bishop, who had worked in Indonesia, noted that even Christians use the term Allah for God there. The Dutch should learn to get on spontaneously with different cultures, religions and behavior patterns: "Someone like me has prayed to Allah yang maha kuasa (Almighty God) for eight years in Indonesia and other priests for 20 or 30 years. In the heart of the Eucharist, God is called Allah over there, so why can't we start doing that together?" he was quoted as saying. Some Dutch Muslims welcomed his comments as a valuable gesture of support coming just days after a far-right Dutch politician insulted the Holy Quran. Geert Wilders called for the Quran to be banned in the country. Wilders, whose new party won nine seats out of the 150 in parliament in last November's elections, is well known for his negative remarks on Islam. Bishop Muskens admitted that he did not think his suggestion would be welcomed readily and that it would take about 100 years before Catholics would feel comfortable calling God "Allah". In an interview broadcast on Monday's edition of current affairs show "Netwerk," Muskens said he had worked in Indonesia where God is referred to as Allah in Christian services. But a spokesman for one of the capital's leading mosques said he was not happy with the statement. "We didn't ask for this, a spokesman for the Moroccan Mosque in Amsterdam told De Telegraaf. "Now it is as if we have a problem between Muslims and Christians." Gerrit de Fijter, chairman of the General Synod of the Dutch Protestant Church, also rejected Muskens' suggestion. "I applaud every attempt to encourage dialogue with Muslims, but I doubt the sense of this maneuver," De Fijter told De Telegraaf. Neither De Fijter nor Muslim community leaders returned calls seeking comment Wednesday. Speaking to a local television network Wednesday, Muskens said he was pleased his comments had sparked debate. "That they are interested in how to get along with God, that is a positive result," he told Omroep Brabant. Muskens is known for controversial statements. In 1996, he declared that it was acceptable for the hungry to steal bread. He also advocated condom use to prevent the spread of AIDS and urged the abolition of celibacy for priests. In June, Muskens requested Pope Benedict XVI to grant him retirement from the bishopry. Muskens, aged 71, was appointed Bishop of Breda in November 1994. +++++++++++ *Allah* http://www.godallah.com/index.php The word "Allah" is the perfect description of the "One God" of monotheism for Jews, Christians and Muslims! Is "Allah" only for Islam and Muslims? [No! It is for All Three Abrahamic Faiths.] "Allah" is the same word used by Christian Arabs and Jewish Arabs in their Bible, centuries before Islam came. On page one [1] of Genesis in the Old Testament, we find the word "Allah" seventeen [17] times. Every hotel and motel has a Bible. Next time you see one look in the introduction, you will find samples of the different languages they have translated. For Arabic they have translated the verse in the New Testament in Arabic from the famous verse in the Gospel John 3:16 - "For God so loved the world . . . " - and the word the translators used in Arabic for "God" is the very same word used by Muslims around the planet, "Allah." Where Does the word "Allah" Come From? "Allah" comes from the Arabic word "elah"a god' or something worshiped. - (Arabic) means ' This word (elah) can be made plural (gods), as in "aleha" and it can be male or female just as the word in English can be "goddess." "Allah" comes from "elaha" but it brings more clarification and understanding. Allah= Has no gender (not male and not female) - "He" is used only out of respect and dignity - not for gender Allah = Always singular - Never plural - "We" is used only as the "Royal WE" just as in English for royalty Allah =Means "The Only One to be Worshipped" +++++++++++ *The word "Allah" in the Arabic Bible: * http://www.answering-christianity.com/allah5.htm *[*Genesis 1:1 - Arabic Bible*]* [image: abib-01.jpg (53021 bytes)] [John 3:16 - Arabic Bible] [image: abib-02.jpg (47762 bytes)] [Luke 1:30 - Arabic Bible] [image: abib-03.jpg (56103 bytes)] *The word "Allah" exists in the Book of Genesis:* [image: genesis1.jpg (76315 bytes)]
