On the back of the controversial Federal Court ruling on the word 'Allah', the new Penang mufti said that it is not a problem for non-Muslims to use the word 'Allah'.

Wan Salim Wan Mohd Noor ( right ), who was appointed yesterday, however said that it is still not acceptable by most Muslims in Malaysia, Star Online reports.

“Although it is acceptable in Arabic countries, there is also a need to consider whether it is suitable in our community," Wan Salim is quoted as saying.

 

“From what I can see, the majority of Muslims in Malaysia are still unable to accept it, maybe over time, views can change."

Wan Salim who replaced Hassan Ahmad, who served as Penang mufti for 16 years, also said that the public needs to be calm about the verdict and maintain peace.

“We may have to wait for the community to understand the issue better so as not to make it into a controversy and disrupt our social relationship,” he told a press conference in George Town yesterday.

The Federal Court yesterday rejected Catholic publication The Herald's leave application to appeal a Court of Appeal decision banning it from using the word 'Allah'.

The seven-person panel was split 4-3.

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