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Saturday 11 February RNW - NEWS AND ANALYSIS FROM THE NETHERLANDS IN 10 LANGUAGES, WORLDWIDE 24/7 ON RADIO, TV AND ONLINE

Allah to get a Dutch PO Box

Published on 19 March 2010 - 2:54pm
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Ever felt like writing a letter to Allah? Well, now you can. From 21 March to 7 December, the deity will have his own PO Box in the Netherlands.

The PO Box is a project by artist Johan van der Dong, who was responsible for opening a hotline to God last year. God’s voicemail was very popular, over 25,000 people left Him a message.

The Dutchman intends to keep the letters unopened and says he will use them in his oil paintings. “What is in the letters is between the writer of the letter and Allah,” he told Dutch news agency ANP.

Islam is an important issue in Dutch politics. The Freedom Party, currently the second largest in the polls, proposes a ban on burqas, a five-year-ban on non-Western immigrants and an amendment to the Dutch constitution to ensure that the current blend of Christians, Jews and humanists remains the dominant group in Dutch society.

The artist hopes that his artwork will give a positive spin to the debate. “An open society is a great asset,” Mr Van der Dong explains on his website, “We should not be afraid of others. We should give other religions and cultures a place in our society.”

All letters to Allah can be directed to:

Allah
Postbus 2485
1000CL Amsterdam
The Netherlands

© Radio Netherlands Worldwide
 

Discussion

Rocking 1 December 2010 - 5:02pm

The idea of writing a letter to You has stayed with me ever since I once heard the late Ashfaq Ahmed say that this is one of the most direct methods of Dua; and that instead of grovelling before our human superiors, we should ask for what we want from the biggest superpower Himself. Mushahid Hussain's opinion, that he expressed a long time ago in an article, in which he said that Pakistan is run by the three A's - namely Army, America and Allah, also remains deeply embedded in my subconscious. Skype English LessonsThanks. Maybe the price should be balanced with gov intervention,. The invisible hand "formula" doesn't work all the time. Rocking chair pads ideas

New Family car decals 2 November 2010 - 2:36pm

The idea of writing a letter to you has stayed with me since I once heard the late Ashfaq Ahmed said that this is one of the most direct methods of Dua, and instead of kowtowing to our human superiors, we should ask what they want the greatest superpower itself. Opinion Mushahid Hussain, who expressed some time ago in an article in which he said that Pakistan is in charge of the three A's - namely, Army, America and Allah, also remains deeply rooted in my subconscious. Skype English Lessons The facility just ensures the comprehensive development they are working on. Thank you for the information. New Family car decals

freshegg 7 July 2010 - 9:36am

The idea of writing a letter to You has stayed with me ever since I once heard the late Ashfaq Ahmed say that this is one of the most direct methods of Dua; and that instead of grovelling before our human superiors, we should ask for what we want from the biggest superpower Himself. Mushahid Hussain's opinion, that he expressed a long time ago in an article, in which he said that Pakistan is run by the three A's - namely Army, America and Allah, also remains deeply embedded in my subconscious.
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John_Egypt 12 May 2010 - 12:22am / Egypt

Do not abuse this word !
"Allah" is simply the Arabic word for "God" - and there is only One God."Allah" is the same word that Arabic-speaking Christians and Jews use for God. "Allah" means "The One who deserves all worship".

http://Godnames.org/godnames.php?f=WhoIsAllah

John_Egypt 12 May 2010 - 12:18am / Egypt

Don not abuse this Word !
"Allah" is simply the Arabic word for "God" - and there is only One God."Allah" is the same word that Arabic-speaking Christians and Jews use for God. "Allah" means in Arabic "The One who deserves all worship".

http://Godnames.org/godnames.php?f=WhoIsAllah

Macken 19 April 2010 - 5:20pm

It's really strange,sending letters to Allah,how it's possible ?That's actually a great idea of Mr. Dong.
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Anonymous 22 March 2010 - 3:36am / Lalaland

Modern religions are just ancient follies rejuvenated.

jasmin 20 March 2010 - 11:50am / India

Thanks David! But God is a very simple Fellow who does not want us to chant the scriptures. He wants us observe the only law He has made for us. The law is very simple- 'Live and let live.' Wonder why has Man found it difficult to follow!!!!

David Berridge 19 March 2010 - 4:38pm / Canada

Don't worry, Jasmin, Holy Books of many faiths have been translated into many languages already, so a Creator by any name or interpretation has the time for many other observations regarding the existance of we mere mortals. Geert should take advantage of the special Netherlands address for Allah, making direct his inquiries into how to go about dealing with the entity of Islam, and leave the matter of governing the Netherlands to those poloitical parties with more than one issue in their respective policy portfolios.

jasmin 19 March 2010 - 3:20pm / India

Which written language does God know? Oh, He must be conversant with all the written and spoken languages of the world. And He must be learning texting and sms languages now,..Phew..No wonder He has no time left to inspect what's happening in the world now! He has the toughest job in the universe.

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