Use of 'Allah' in BM bible, Christian publications prohibited in Selangor - Sultan Sharafuddin

SHAH ALAM: The use of the word 'Allah' in the Bahasa Malaysia translation of the Bible or any printed books or writings of the Christian religion in any form remains prohibited in Selangor, said Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah.

In a statement posted on the Selangor Royal Office official Facebook page today, Sultan Sharafuddin stressed and reiterated his stand that the word 'Allah' is a sacred word for the Muslims and can only be used to refer to the Almighty God, the Most-Perfect.

The Sultan was referring to the decision of the Kuala Lumpur High Court in the case of Jill Ireland Lawrence Bill against the Home Minister and the Government of Malaysia allowing the use of 'Allah' in religious publications for educational purposes and after reading the full judgment by the High Court Judge dated March 17.

"The word Allah should never be put in the wrong place or used other than to mean God Almighty, which is the basis of the Muslims' faith," he said in the statement adding that he would have no objection if the word 'Tuhan' is used as a translation of the word 'God'.

The ruler's assertion is also in line with the Federal Court's decision in the case of the Titular Roman Catholic Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur against the Home Minister in 2014 and a fatwa gazetted in the State of Selangor on Feb 18, 2010, stating that the word 'Allah' cannot be used or equated with god for religions other than Islam.

According to the Sultan, it is the responsibility of the Muslims to stop the use of the word Allah if there were elements of abuse or insult to the word.

"I emphasize that it is the responsibility of all Muslims, especially Muslims in Selangor to maintain the sanctity of the word Allah at all times and in any situation," he said.

Sultan Sharafuddin also called on all the non-Muslims in Selangor to always adhere to and abide by the ban on the use of the word Allah as provided under the Non -Muslim Religions (Control of Development Among Muslims, 1988) Enactment gazetted on July 7, 1988.

He said this included the ban on the use of several other words stipulated in the enactment for commercial purposes and the naming of places of businesses or buildings.

The ruler said as the Head of the Islamic religion in Selangor, he would continue to defend the sanctity of the word Allah because it is his obligation and responsibility as reminded in the words of Allah S.W.T in verse 65 of surah at-Taubah which forbids mocking and ridiculing the word Allah.

He said he has always emphasised for the Selangor people to respect each other's beliefs and refrain from touching religious sensitivity which could harm racial unity in the state.

"If Muslims can respect the followers of other religions by not interfering in matters related to their religions, then I also urge the followers of other religions to respect the followers of Islam, especially in the use of the word Allah," he said.

Sultan Sharafuddin said he also supported the request made by the Sultan of Johor for the federal government to appeal against the High Court ruling, adding that he ordered the Selangor Islamic Religious Council (MAIS) to apply to the court as an intervener in the appeal.

"I also call for the same thing to be implemented by State Islamic Religious Councils to preserve the glory of the word Allah and the sanctity of Islam," he said.

-- BERNAMA