The Malaysian Insight

SOME 50 Muslim civil society groups have urged the Home Ministry to appeal the high court ruling allowing Christians to use the word ‘Allah’ in their religious practice.

Chairman of the Pembela Islam group Aminuddin Yahaya said the court ruling must not be executed until the appeal process is over.

“The ministry must issue a new circular to ban the use of the word if the request for leave is not granted,” he said at a press conference in Kg Baru, Kuala Lumpur, today.

This is among the six resolutions mooted by the group after a meeting today.

Aminuddin said the high court ruling contradicts a previous Federal Court decision.

“This paves way for misuse, which will not only lead to the denigration of the holy kalimah Allah but also cause confusion among Muslims. The door for apostasy and pluralism will be wide open,” he declared.

Kuala Lumpur High Court, in a landmark decision on March 10, ruled that Jill Ireland Lawrence Bill, a Sarawak Christian, could use ‘Allah’ – which means ‘God’ in Bahasa Malaysia – in the course of practising her religion.

Judge Nor Bee Ariffin also said that the 1986 Home Ministry directive, banning the use of the word and other contentious words, was unlawful and unconstitutional.

The judge said Jill had been deprived of her rights to practise her religion.

“I do not agree with the government’s argument that the declaration that is being sought is premature.

“She has been deprived and there is no assurance that it won’t happen again.

“This would eliminate her fear and uncertainty,” said Nor Bee, who is a Court of Appeal justice sitting on the high court bench.

In a suit filed in 2008, Jill sought official recognition of her constitutional rights to practise her religion and non-discrimination under Article 11 and 8 of the federal constitution.

She filed her suit after eight CDs of educational Christian material containing the word ‘Allah’ were seized from her at Kuala Lumpur International Airport on her return from Indonesia. – March 14, 2021.