Pakatan maintains non-Muslims can use 'Allah'
Pakatan Rakyat is maintaining its stand that non-Muslims can use the word 'Allah'.
"We reiterate our statement made last year. We ask that the people keep calm and allow the appeal process," PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim told reporters today.
Pakatan Rakyat is maintaining its stand that non-Muslims can use the word 'Allah'.
"We reiterate our statement made last year. We ask that the people keep calm and allow the appeal process," PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim told reporters today.
Speaking after a 90-minute meeting that also discussed the recent Court of Appeal decision, the Pakatan leaders, however, refused to elaborate further.
"It is the same as before. Just look for the statement we made before, I don't remember it word for word," PAS secretary general Mustafa Ali said when pressed.
In 2010, Pakatan said non-Muslims can use the word 'Allah' as long as it is not abused or used to insult any religion.
While he did not want to elaborate on Pakatan's stand, Anwar criticised Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's silence on the matter.
"The PM doesn't seem to be around when it comes to this issue, so I think it reflects on poor leadership in this country. The country is like on auto pilot now," he said.
Pakatan to seek discussion with Najib
Pakatan will nevertheless write to the prime minister to seek a discussion on the matter.
Anwar also spoke against condemnation of those who disagreed with the Court of Appeal decision.
He said those who differed with the view of former Johor mufti Nooh Gadot should also not be condemned.
Nooh reportedly warned that Muslims who questioned the Court of Appeal decision could become "apostates" or "infidels".
Meanwhile, Mustafa does not discount the possibility that the issue will be used as campaign fodder against Pakatan in the Nov 4 Sungai Limau by-election.
PAS will be defending the seat, which was declared vacant on the death of incumbent assemblyperson Azizan Abdul Razak, and its candidate will be named on Oct 21.
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