Christians can now refer to God as Allah, Malaysian court rules
The Malaysia High Court has ruled that non Muslims are able to refer to God as “Allah.” The judgement comes after a long legal battle.
Lawrence Bill, a Christian has approached the court after her religious tools were confisticated because she mentioned the word “Allah”.
Ms. Bill’s compact discs were seized at the airport by Malaysian authorities in 2008 because they found the recordings titled “Allah”
On Wednesday, Justice Nor Bee ruled that the word “Allah” and three other Arabic words “Kaabah” which means “Islam’s holiest shrine in Mecca” “Baitullah” which means “house of God” and “Solat” which means “prayer” could be used by Christians.
Although in 2009, a lower court ruled that the non-Muslims cannot refer to God as Allah, Justice Nor Bee referred to the directive that banned the use of the four words as “illegal and unconstitutional.”
“The freedom to profess and practice one’s religion should include the right to own religious materials,” she added.
Malaysia comprises both Christians and Muslims. Though there are very large Christian communities, two-third of Malaysia are made up of Muslims.
Non-Muslims using the word “Allah” has caused crises in the past.
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
Politics
I won’t focus on religion, ethnicity in my 2027 presidential election campaign: Obi
“Daddy, I need you to speak to your people in the South-West and Kwara, the Christians in the South-West and Kwara,” Mr Obi said in 2023. “This is a religious war.”
Politics
Elegushi hails Olu of Warri on fifth coronation anniversary
The traditional ruler of Ikate-Elegushi Kingdom, Saheed Elegushi, has praised the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, for five years of purposeful leadership.
Politics
Women networks unveil ‘Project 4+4’ for Tinubu, Shettima
APC women have unveiled the ‘Project 4+4 for Tinubu/Shettima 2027’.
Rights
Rivers: NAPTIP seals off ‘baby factory’ in Port Harcourt
NAPTIP says it has sealed a maternity home in Port Harcourt, Rivers, suspected of operating illegal baby factory activities and trafficking children.
Anti-Corruption
Procurement bureau seeks stronger CSO participation in public procurement monitoring
BPP has called for stronger participation of civil society organisations in monitoring Nigeria’s public procurement system to ensure value for public expenditure.
States
Nigerian man arrested for multimillion-naira visa fraud, risks years in jail
A 53-year-old man, Babalola Waheed, was arraigned on Friday on charges of multimillion-naira visa fraud.
