High Court rules Christians nationwide can use word “Allah” in religious publications

KUALA LUMPUR: The High Court here today ruled that Christians nationwide can use the word “Allah” and three other Arabic words in their religious publications for educational purposes.
The three other words are Baitullah, Kaabah and solat.
This follows Court of Appeal Judge Datuk Nor Bee Ariffin, sitting as High Court judge, allowing a judicial review application by a Sarawak native Christian, Jill Ireland Lawrence Bill.
In the application, Jill Ireland had sought among others a declaration that it is her constitutional right to have access to Christian publications in the exercising of her rights to practise her religion and right to education, as provided under Article 11 of the Federal Constitution.
She also wanted the court to declare the Home Ministry’s 1986 circular to ban the word “Allah” in Christian Publications as unconstitutional and unlawful.
Justice Nor Bee in her ruling held that the directive by the Home Ministry in 1986 not to allow the use of the four words is filled with illegality and irrationality.
“The use of the words would not disrupt public order,” she said. — BERNAMA