Malaysian govt to appeal against court decision on Allah

He was responding to the High Court’s decision on Thursday which allowed the Catholic weekly publication to use the word “Allah”. Judge Lau Bee Lian had ruled that use of the word was constitutional,as long as the periodical was confined to educating Christians.

On February 16 last year,Archbishop Murphy Pakiam filed for a judicial review on the use of the word “Allah” in the church’s publications,naming the Home Ministry and the government as respondents. He said the word “Allah” was not exclusive to the religion of Islam.

An MP,Zulkifli Nordin wants the National Fatwa Council to decide on the use of the word ‘Allah’ to prevent divergent groups from making decisions without taking into account the impact on Islam.

“After the fatwa is made,all states must immediately gazette the fatwa,” an MP,Zulkifli Nordin wrote in his blog. The Kulim Bandar Baru MP said the High Court’s decision three days ago to allow a Catholic church to use the word “Allah” in its weekly publication,Herald,was confusing.

“I wonder why the court did not refer this matter to the National Fatwa Council or Islamic authorities.” Zulkifli said the use of the word “Allah” by Christians would confuse its followers.

“Look at Buddhism,Judaism,Hinduism and other religions. The name of their god remains the same. But why do the Christians want to change the name?”,Selangor opposition leader Datuk Seri Mohamad Khir Toyo,who is saddened by the judgement,said the word “Allah” was exclusive to Muslims.

However,Shah Alam MP Khalid Samad said that “Allah” was not only for Muslims but also for the entire universe. “Words like ‘Allah is only for Muslims’ limit the greatness of Allah to Muslims only and acknowledge other gods for other religions.

Former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad said the High Court decision must be governed by strict conditions. He said whatever justifications offered for the approval would not defuse the anger of Muslims. “This is because ‘God’ in other religions is translated as ‘Tuhan’ in Bahasa Malaysia or Arabic,not ‘Allah’. ‘Allah’ specifically refers to God in Islam.

If they understand that,they would use the word ‘Tuhan’,instead.”

“I accept that the term ‘Allah’ had been used in Sabah and Sarawak before the two states joined Malaysia,but it is difficult to stop them from doing so now. In the peninsula,we have not heard of such practice.

Mahathir feared the term “Allah” might be used in such a way that could inflame the anger of Muslims if they were to use it on banners or write something that might not reflect Islam.

Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor said the party would leave it to the Home Ministry to deal with matters concerning the High Court ruling.

Wanita Umno chief Senator Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil said the movement would champion and ensure that the place and position of Islam was not tarnished. “If need be,we will apply to meet the King.” Minister of Information,Communications and Culture Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim said overzealous views and opinions expressed by various bodies and people could be detrimental to the harmony of the country.

The Muslim Lawyers’ Association expressed disappointment over the court decision as the word “Allah” should not be allowed to be used indiscriminately by non-Muslims. Its deputy president,Muhamad Burok,said the word did not mean what non-Muslims understood it to be.