Non-Muslims should not allowed to use the word 'Allah' or the word may find its way onto places such as liquor bottles and karaoke centres, said Selangor Islamic Affairs Council (Mais) chairperson Mohamad Adzib Mohd Isa.
 
"Think what would happen if the word 'Allah' can be used by non-Muslims. On beer bottles, at karaoke centres, or anywhere else such as a 'Kaaba' brand liquor bottle. What would happen then?
 
"This is what bothers us. The Sultan (of Selangor) as the head of religion has reminded us that this issue is not to be taken lightly and handled with care," he was quoted saying in the Malay-language daily Sinar Harian today.
 
He was speaking yesterday justifying the Selangor Non-Islamic Religions (Control of Propagation Among Muslims) Enactment 1988.
 
A provision under the enactment bans the use of the word ‘Allah’ and 34 other Arabic words in non-Islamic religious contexts, including Kaaba – the holy site in Mecca.
 
The same provision is being used to investigate Bible Society of Malaysia (BSM) chairperson Lee Min Choon and his office manager Sinclair Wong, following a raid on their premises where 321 copies of Malay-language bibles and 10 copies of Iban-language bibles were confiscated.
 
The bibles supposedly contain the word 'Allah' as the translation for 'God' in the respective languages.
 
The raid by the Selangor Islamic Affairs Department (Jais) on Jan 2 allegedly done without a search warrant.
 
However, Mohamad Adzib insisted that the raid was done in accordance to law and it shows that religious authorities in Selangor are responsible in following the relevant rules when conducting enforcement work.
 
"What is their aim (of the Catholic church in Selangor to use 'Allah' in their Sunday sermons)? It is none other than the possibility of confusing Muslims with the word 'Allah', whereas we believe in Allah while they believe in the Trinity.
 
"What is their aim of using 'Allah' and not 'God' in the bible?" he added.