Malaysian Govt Appeals Ruling Allowing Christians to use Allah in Publications — BenarNews benarnews.org - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from benarnews.org Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Datuk Seri Dr Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri
KUALA LUMPUR – A Munaqasyah session to scrutinise the issue on the use of the word “Allah” will be held with muftis from throughout the country tomorrow, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Seri Dr Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri.
Zulkifli said the opinions of leaders of Islamic non-governmental organisations (NGOs) would also be sought.
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“I just visited the headquarters of Pertubuhan-Pertubuhan Pembela Islam (Pembela) to hear the views and thoughts of leaders of Islamic NGOs on the issue (on the use) of the word Allah.
“I spent almost 45 minutes exchanging views and trying to find a common understanding between the government and Islamic NGOs on this issue,” he said in his Facebook posting today.
World News - KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian High Court yesterday ruled that Christians nationwide are allowed to use the word Allah (Arabic word for God) and three other Arabic words in their religious publications for educational purposes. The three other words are. Read more at www.tnp.sg
Published on: Thursday, March 11, 2021
By: Bernama
Malay Mail pic
Kuala Lumpur: The High Court here on Wednesday ruled that Christians nationwide can use the word Allah and three other Arabic words in their religious publications for educational purposes.
The three other words are Baitullah, Kaabah and solat.
This follows Court of Appeal Judge Datuk Nor Bee Ariffin, sitting as High Court judge, allowing a judicial review application by a Sarawak native Christian, Jill Ireland Lawrence Bill.
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In the application, Jill Ireland had sought, among others, a declaration that it is her constitutional right to have access to Christian publications in the exercise of her rights to practise her religion and right to education, as provided under Article 11 of the Federal Constitution.
[Reuters]
Malaysian Christians are allowed to use the word “Allah” to refer to God in educational publications, a High Court ruled on Wednesday in ending a decades-long ban, which the court said was unconstitutional because it restricted religious freedom.
The Kuala Lumpur High Court further ruled that a 1986 directive by the home ministry to bar the use of Allah and three other Arabic words in Christian publications was illegal and irrational, because Malay Christians had used these words for more than 400 years, the state-run Bernama news agency reported about the verdict.
“The use of the words would not disrupt public order,” Judge Nor Bee Ariffin said in her ruling allowing Christian publications to use not just “Allah, but also the words “baitullah,” “kaabah” and “solat.”