Court Upholds

"A Malaysian appeals court upheld a government ban against the use of the word "

A Malaysian appeals court upheld a government ban against the use of the word “Allah” to refer to God in a Christian publication.

But Christians in Malaysia believe that the restriction violates their religious rights.

The judgment overturns a decision by a lower court, four years ago that ruled against the government ban.

Over a hundred Muslims gathered outside the court house.

One of them is Ahmad Kamal from ethnic Malay NGO Armada Melayu.

“We are here today, as you know to stop the Christians who want to use “Allah.” We give our support to our friends and other NGO’s, so that this victory will go in favor of Islam.”

They chanted and prayed while waiting for the courts verdict.

And celebrated when they heard that the court had ruled in their favor.

“I believe that the word “Allah” is just for Muslims. In the bible, in other languages there is no Allah, they use God, Lord or Jesus so why in Malay they want to use Allah? “

But many bibles in Malaysia use the word Allah and have done so for generations.

The Lawyer for the Herald Paper S. Selvarajah says the court decision is absurd.

“The government is blowing hot and cold. If the primary source the bible is allows to use the word “Allah” and the government has endorsed it. I don’t see how a publication that makes reference to this source can be prohibited. Its really quite irrational.”

Christians in Malaysia believe that the restriction violates their religious rights.

And will lead to a wider ban on them using the word Allah and further restrictions.

Rev. Hermen Shastri is the Churches Malaysia general secretary.

“It surely has implications for the use of the Bahasa bible in the whole country. Especially in Sabah and Sarawak where the majority of Bumiputera Christians live. And he says in that summary that the word “Allah” is not integral in Christianity, I don’t know if he’s an expert in religion to say that.”

Already pro-Malay muslim groups, like Perkasa, are viewing the ruling as a green light to pressure Christians to stop using the word.

Ibrahim Ali is the Perkasa President.

“If there is anyone who uses the word Allah against the rules of the courts and constitution of our country will take action after this law.”

The debate is far from over.

The Herald is planning to appeal the decision to the federal court.

   
   

• Malaysia
• Word
• religious freedom
• The Herald
• Malaysiakini