Words that only Muslims can use

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KUANTAN: There are 25 words including "Allah" that cannot be used or associated with a non-Islamic religion in Pahang.

Those who violate the law can be fined a maximum of RM5,000 or two years' jail or both.

Under Section 9(1) of the Control and Restriction of the Propagation of Non-Islamic Religions Enactment 1989, it is an offence for a person to use the words, or any of its derivatives and variations, to express or describe anything related to a non-Islamic religion (religions other than Islam).

These words cannot be used either in writing or in speeches for such a purpose.

The words that have been listed in Part 1 of the schedule under the enactment are Allah, Firman Allah, Ulama, Hadith, Ibadat, Kaabah, Kadi, Ilahi, Wahyu, Mubaligh, Syariah, Qiblat, Haj, Mufti, Rasul, Iman, Dakwah, Injil, Solat, Khalifah, Wali, Fatwa, Kutbah, Nabi and Tabligh.

Section 9(2) also states it is wrong for a non-Muslim to use any of the 10 expressions of Islamic origins, including Subhanallah and Alhamdulillah.

However, non-Muslims can use the expressions by way of quotation or reference.

State Islamic Religious and Malay Customs Council (Maip) deputy president Datuk Seri Wan Abdul Wahid Wan Hassan said the enactment was gazetted on March 1, 1990, a year after it was passed by the state legislative assembly.

"The enactment covers all as it is not a syariah law. Those who violate the enactment can be arrested according to the Criminal Procedure Code," he said yesterday.

He said a police officer, or any authorised person appointed by the sultan could arrest the suspects without a warrant.

"We have a specific law to deal with this matter. I hope everyone respects it."

He said it was also an offence to persuade a Muslim to embrace other religions or send publications of other beliefs to them.

(Source: New Straits Times, January 13, 2010, p. 7)
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