In the holy month of August, The Houston Chronicle published a generic article about Ramadan.[1]
Why generic? Because while the article references “God” seven times, it references “Allah” zero times.
The article Swedish Artist Lars Vilks and What “Allahu Akbar” Does Not Mean elucidates that while some argue that “Allah” is a generic term that just means “God” the fact is that the issue is not grammar but theology.
The Muslims who practice Ramadan due so due to following the specific theological dictates of a specific god, Allah.
An Albuquerque resident stated that they hope to lose 15 pounds from fasting, “I am a coffee addict so the first couple days are coffee withdrawal…There is nobody else who can really know that you are fasting ... . You do this because you really feel closer to God.”
Apparently, you really feel closer to Allah and lose weight while you are at it. Although, Allah is not the sort of god to whom you feel close but to whom you submit; indeed, after 9/11 suddenly we were told that Islam means “peace” while for the pervious millennia and half it meant “submission.” Also, note that nobody can really know that you are fasting; well, except anyone reading your words on the world wide web.
Within the article even when clear reference is made to Allah, “God” is referenced, “It was a hot, tiring day, I have a headache, but alhamdulillah, it's all worth it, it's all for God.” “Alhamduillah” is also sometimes translated generically as “Praise to God” but clearly specifically means “Praise to Allah.” The fact that some will still want to argue grammar shows at least two things: 1) USA’s culture is attempting very diligently to bend over backwards to please Muslims and 2) Islam is continuously watered down in the USA by Muslims and non-Muslims alike.
As for 1) the USA, being premised upon Judeo-Christian principles, is a respecter of freedom of religious expression. As for 2) traditional, Qur′anic Islam requires moderation and it speaks to the wisdom of the founders of the USA and its Judeo-Christian influenced populace that Islam is able to live peaceably in the USA.
It is likewise true that Jews and Christians generically speak of “God” when they are specifically referencing the God of the Bible. Yet, again; it is about theology and not grammar. Certainly, the grammatical context of the article leads to a definition of “God” as “Allah” which is why we must be ever diligent to recognize this fact and not think that a “God” is a “God” is a “God.”
For specifics on Islam please see info at this link
For info on parsing one “God” from another please see info at this link
Note:
[1] Kate Shellnutt, “Fasting during Ramadan to nourish the spirit,” The Houston Chronicle, Aug. 12, 2010, copyright 2010 The Houston Chronicle
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