SHAH ALAM, March 23 — The Sultan of Selangor has today repeated his decree that the Arabic word for God, or ‘Allah’, is barred to all non-Muslims in the state.
Responding to the recent ruling by the Kuala Lumpur High Court, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Alhaj has decreed that the word’s usage in Selangor is not allowed in the Malay language Bible or any publications, books, or writings on Christianity.
“The word ‘Allah’ is very sacred to the Muslims and can only be used to refer to God Almighty with divine attributes. The usage of the word ‘Allah’ cannot be used wrongly or to mean anything other than God Almighty, which is the basis of the Muslim faith.
“However, if the word ‘Tuhan’ is used as the translation of ‘God’, then there is no restriction on the use of the word ‘Tuhan’,” the Selangor Ruler said in a statement today.
The High Court had on March 10 ruled that the government’s 1986 directive issued by the Home Ministry’s publications control division, which prohibits Christians from using the word “Allah” in their religious education and books, was unlawful and unconstitutional.
The ruling had also allowed the use of three other words — Baitullah, Kaabah and solat.
This follows Court of Appeal judge Datuk Nor Bee Ariffin, sitting as a High Court judge, allowing a judicial review application by Sarawak native Christian, Jill Ireland Lawrence Bill.
The statement by the Selangor Sultan added that the Ruler’s stand was in line with the ruling by the Federal Court in a case in 2014 between the Titular Roman Catholic Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur and the Home Ministry, as well as the state’s fatwa issued in 2010 that the word “Allah” cannot be interchanged or equated with gods of other religions.
His Majesty said that Muslims must halt the misuse of the word “Allah” or any form of insult against the word and stressed that it is the responsibility of all Muslims to uphold the honour of the word “Allah” at all times.
“As the head of Islam in Selangor, I will continue to uphold the honour of the word ‘Allah’ as it is demanded in Islam and is also my responsibility.
“What is the use of me to be the head of Islam in Selangor if I fail to uphold the honour of the word ‘Allah’ and the holiness of Islam from being tarnished by other parties that have their own agenda?” the statement read.
Meanwhile, Sultan Sharafuddin had also instructed the Selangor Islamic Religious Council (Mais) to apply to intervene in the case and had urged the State Islamic Religious Council to do the same in order to uphold the honour of the word “Allah” and the sanctity of Islam.
His Majesty had also supported Sultan of Johor Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar’s call on the government to proceed with the appeal against the High Court ruling.
On March 15, the Federal government had filed an appeal against the High Court’s decision at the High Court Registry.
