Ibrahim Ali: 'Allah' decision based on constitution
Perkasa president Ibrahim Ali said the decision by the Court of Appeal to bar the use of the word ‘Allah’ in The Herald is based on the law and constitution.
Perkasa president Ibrahim Ali said the decision by the Court of Appeal to bar the use of the word ‘Allah’ in the Malay edition of Catholic weekly The Herald is based on the law and constitution.
He said the country does not prevent those of other faiths from going to churches or temples.
“We respect democracy and human rights but the decision is based on the law and the constitution," he said when met outside the Court of Appeal today.
"Nobody can stop them (non-Muslims) from going to their places of worship or celebrations. Compared to other countries, we are good people (in allowing this).
“The only thing is that we have to protect is the use of ‘Allah’ as it concerns our akidah (faith). If I do not protect the kalimah 'Allah', I will be called infidel. I cannot be called kafir (unbeliever) as I am a Muslim."
He also said that Christians should also find other terms to refer to ‘Allah’ in Bahasa Malaysia, such as 'Tuhan'.
When it was pointed out that the use of 'Allah' by Christians is accepted globally, Ibrahim said while that may be, he is talking specifically about Malaysia.
Perkasa secretary-general Syed Hassan Syed Ali (left) expressed the hope that the Federal Court will uphold today's decision, should The Herald follow through with plans to appeal the decision.
He also hoped that everyone, particularly the Christian community, will accept today's decision.
“Praise be to God for today's decision and I hope that, if the matter is brought up to the Federal Court, the decision will remain," he added.
Mais: Decision reaffirms fatwa
Meanwhile, the Selangor Islamic Affairs Council (Mais) has stated that today’s Court of Appeal’s decision reaffirms the constitution, the rights of Islam and Muslims, as well as the position of the Malay rulers as the guardian of Islam in the country, as well as the position of the existing fatwa, which “must be taken seriously by all parties”.
“Mais wishes to stress once again that in Selangor, Section 9 of the Non-Islamic Religions (Control of Propagation amongst Muslims) Enactment 1988 that was formed in line with Article 11(4) of the federal constitution, that clearly prohibits the use of ‘Allah’ by non-Muslims in anything related to their religion.
“Charges and punishments can be meted out to those who violate this rule,” Mais president Mohamad Adzib Mohd Isa said in a statement.
He said the council will “professionally” continue to oppose any party that attempts to threaten the rights of Islam and any its followers.
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