There is a great deal of misunderstanding about this issue. Arabic-speaking Christians have used the word "Allah" for the God of the Bible for centuries -- some sources say since before the advent of Islam. But a Malaysia court now says the word is the property of Muslims only.

Islamic Tolerance Alert and an update on [1] this story: "Malaysia court refuses to let Church use ‘Allah,’" from [2] Dawn, May 28 (thanks to all who sent this in):

KUALA LUMPUR: A Malaysian court refused to let the Roman Catholic Church use the word ‘Allah’ even temporarily Thursday, upholding a government ban that has become a symbol of religious tensions in this Muslim-majority country.

The federal government blocks non-Muslims in Malaysia from translating God as ‘Allah’ in their literature, saying it would confuse Muslims in this multiethnic, Muslim-majority country.

Christian groups say the ban is unconstitutional, arguing that the word ‘Allah’ predates Islam.

The High Court rejected an appeal by the church’s main publication in Malaysia, the Herald, to have the ban suspended while waiting for a court decision on the ban’s legality, said Herald lawyer Porres Royan....