Malaysian Federal Court Rules Non-Muslims Can't Use the Word "Allah" When Referring To God
KUALA LUMPUR, June 23, 2014
Malaysia’s top court on Monday upheld a government ban forbidding non-Muslims from using “Allah” to refer to God.
The government says Allah should be reserved exclusively for Muslims who make up nearly two-thirds of the country’s 29 million people because if other religions use it that could confuse Muslims and lead them to convert.
Over the years, the controversy has provoked violence in Malaysia.
Anger over a lower court ruling against the government ban in 2009 led to a string of arson attacks and vandalism.
Defense Minister Hishammuddin Hussein told reporters he welcomed the ruling, but said he hoped no parties would politicise the matter...
“This is an emotional issue that can affect the country’s harmony. We must handle it with wisdom,” he said. “The court has made a decision, so let’s accept it.”
Malaysia’s top court on Monday upheld a government ban forbidding non-Muslims from using “Allah” to refer to God.
The government says Allah should be reserved exclusively for Muslims who make up nearly two-thirds of the country’s 29 million people because if other religions use it that could confuse Muslims and lead them to convert.
Over the years, the controversy has provoked violence in Malaysia.
Anger over a lower court ruling against the government ban in 2009 led to a string of arson attacks and vandalism.
Defense Minister Hishammuddin Hussein told reporters he welcomed the ruling, but said he hoped no parties would politicise the matter...
“This is an emotional issue that can affect the country’s harmony. We must handle it with wisdom,” he said. “The court has made a decision, so let’s accept it.”
