Scholars and Islamic experts have agreed to disagree on whether or not it is appropriate for the word 'Allah' to be used by non-Muslims as a direct translation for the word God.

They were part of a spirited yet congenial debate in an open public forum organised by Universiti Malaya's Islamic Students Association (PMIUM), public discussion advocacy group FPF (Free Public Forum) and the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH) with the controversial topic, 'Allah, siapa yang punya?' (Who does Allah belong to?).

The seven-member panel included Shah Alam MP Khalid Samad, cultural researcher Eddin Khoo, University Islam Antarabangsa (UIA) comparative religion lecturer Mohd Farid Mohd Shahran, Hadith expert Azwira Aziz , Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) Malay studies lecturer Khalif Muammar, writer Hasmi Hashim dan Muslim convert and missionary Shah Kirit Kakulal Gov.

Full story here: http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/121801