Thursday, December 31, 2009

Christians Free to Use Allah

The High Court of Malaya in Kuala Lumpur today declared that the ban on Christians using the word "Allah" is invalid.

Justice Lau Bee Lan ruled that the Home Ministry has failed to show how the use of the word "Allah" by Christians can create confusion among Muslims.

The case was filed by The Herald, a weekly-publication of the Roman Catholic Church. The Home Ministry had initially banned the Herald from using the word "Allah".

The Herald had sought to seek a nullification of the ban. The decision by the Home Ministry to ban the word by Christians is baffling. Christians, especially in Sabah and Sarawak have used the word "Allah" long before the formation of Malaysia. The word "Allah" has become part of the Christian tradition in the Malay Archipelago.

Therefore the High Court's decision is most welcome. Christians however should not be too overjoyed, as the Home Ministry has yet to make a stand on whether it would appeal the decision.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Syukur kepada Allah!