Kedah Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah today decreed that the word 'Allah' is exclusively for Muslims.
 
He added that the word is prohibited for use by adherents of other religions, according to a report by Umno-owned Utusan Online today.
 
The sultan said the use of the word 'Allah' had already been decided by the National Fatwa Council in 1986 and should be respected.
 
This is the first time the head of state has weighed into the controversial topic that has created tension between Muslims and Christians.
 
The decree was read out by the Sultan of Kedah Council of Regency chairperson Tunku Annuar Sultan Badlishah at a ceremony for the Agong's birthday in Alor Setar today.
 
The Kedah sultan is also the current  Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

According to Bernama , the sultan said the use of the word 'Allah', which was an exclusive right of Muslims, should be respected.
 
"Confusion and controversy can be averted if there is adherence to the provisions of the law and judicial decisions," he said.  
 
The speech urged people to avoid issues that can threaten the country's unity.
 
"As such, I urge that religious issues and racial sensitivities which have the potential to be a threat (to unity) be avoided besides adhering to the Federal Constitution and the state constitution.
 
"In the context of a pluralistic society, religious sensitivities especially related to Islam as the religion of the federation should be respected," he said.
 
Reject Shiism
 
Sultan Abdul Halim advised Muslims to reject beliefs other than that of Sunnah Wal-Jamaah, for example the Shiism ideology, so as to safeguard their interests. 
 
He said that in the context of Kedah, he was proud of the administrative efficiency of the state government in implementing concrete and conducive policies for physical and spiritual development. 
 
He expressed confidence that the comprehensive approach to development planning incorporating various initiatives based on sustainable development would be able to transform Kedah into a prosperous, progressive and high-income state by 2020.

Separately, Perkasa president Ibrahim Ali expressed appreciation for the Agong’s decree, and urged the prime minister to advise all Malay Rulers to issue similar decrees in their respective states.
 
He also urged the authorities to take stern action towards those who continue to use the word ‘Allah’ for other religions.
 
“The sensitivities of Muslims need to be respected and it is the practice of the Federation of Malaya for generations and Malaysia.
 
“With the Agong’s decree, it is hoped that all parties will respect it and it will help bring harmony to all Malaysians,” he said in a statement today.

Editor's note:  It has come to our attention that the above decree was by the Kedah sultan and not Istana Negara. Corrections have been made. We regret the error.