The Home Ministry’s court appeal against the use of the word ‘Allah’ in The Herald is to protect harmony of people of all races and religions in this country.

Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said as the party involved in the appeal process, the ministry, did not look at the legal aspect alone but emphasised the sensitivities of Muslims in Malaysia.

All parties should respect the decision of the Court of Appeal to prohibit the weekly Catholic publication The Herald from using the the word ‘Allah’ to refer to God.

“We have to respect each other in terms of religious belief,” he told reporters after the BernamaTV talk show ‘Ruang Bicara’ at Wisma Bernama in Kuala Lumpur last night.

Ahmad Zahid hopes that the decision by the Court of Appeal will not cause a split between the Muslims and non-Muslims in this country.

“If there is dissatisfaction with the authorities, they can bring it to the Federal Court because it is their right.

“For me, it is a legal process but in terms of security, I do not want to see a split between the Muslims and non-Muslims,” he added.

On Monday, the Court of Appeal unanimously decided to allow government appeal and set aside the decision of the High Court in 2009 which allowed The Herald to use the word ‘Allah’ in the publication.

- Bernama

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