Keep 'Allah' for use only by Muslims, says Selangor sultan

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SHAH ALAM: Sultan Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah wants the word "Allah" to be used by Muslims only and that state should be firm in this stand.

The sultan had also directed the Selangor Islamic Religious Council (Mais) to inform the people that there was already a law preventing the use of the word "Allah" by non-Muslims.

Mais president Datuk Mohamad Adzib Mohd Isa said the law existed under the Non-Muslim Enactment gazetted in 1988. He said the sultan also wanted everyone to abide by the decision of the Selangor Fatwa Council made on June 10, 2008 that decided that the word "Allah" was exclusive to Muslims.

The sultan had conveyed this to Mais when they met him at Istana Mestika here on Jan 5, Adzib told reporters after a meeting with 38 Muslim non-governmental organisations at the state mosque here yesterday.

He said Mais had ruled on 14 issues, including the word "Allah" used by Muslims and which differed with the God used by Christians, which is based on the concept of the Holy Trinity.

Mais was of the opinion that the "Allah" issue should not have been brought to the courts as it was a non-justifiable matter that rests with the Malay rulers.

"In view of this, we have told our lawyers to file an appeal in court so as to protect the interests of Muslims and we also urge the religious authorities in other states to join us filing the appeal."

Adzib said Mais also urged the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to use his power under Article 130 of the Constitution to refer the matter to the Federal Court for an interpretation of the issue. Mais also called on the Federal Government to ensure that the issue was no longer heard in civil courts by non-Muslim judges.

(Source: New Straits Times, January 12, 2010, p.7)
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