Allah ruling issue: Govt being careless in handling the issue, claims Pas Ulama

SHAH ALAM - The Pas Central Ulama Council urges the Home Ministry to provide an explanation regarding the withdrawal of the appeal for the High Court's decision stating Christians could use the word Allah, Baitullah, Kaabah and solat in their Christian religious publications for educational purposes.

Its chief Datuk Ahmad Yahaya said the council viewed the ministry's decision to withdraw the appeal in the case as careless and not examining the rationale of the case.

"Furthermore, the Home Ministry did not give due consideration to the position of the Religious Affairs Fatwa Committee Muzakarah (MKI Muzakarah Committee), which clarified that the words of Allah were exclusive to Muslims.

"The phrase and words such as Kaabah, Solat, and Baitullah should be legally protected to prevent any potential abuse. Ironically, the government, which emphasised the importance of the Madani slogan, did not take this matter seriously," he said in a statement on Tuesday.

The government and the Home Ministry on Monday reportedly withdrew the appeal on Kuala Lumpur High Court decision that Christians could use the word Allah, Baitullah, Kaabah and solat in their Christian religious material publications for educational purposes.

The notice to terminate the judicial review appeal was filed by the Attorney-General's Chambers on April 18 at the Court of Appeal Registrar's Office in Putrajaya.

Ahmad further commented, stating that the Home Ministry must take a bold and consistent measures by continuing the appeal in the Jill Ireland case.

"Such cases shouldn't be taken lightly by the government considering the implications it would bring in the future on the religion," he said.

The Kuala Lumpur High Court on March 10, 2021, ruled that Christians can use the words Allah, solat, Kaabah and Baitullah in their publications for educational purposes in their community after 13 years and two months since it was filed in 2008.

The case involved a Christian from Sarawak Jill Ireland Lawrence Bill who used Allah for her religious purposes.