‘Allah’ restrictions bind non-Muslims too, Pahang mufti argues
(Malay Mail Online) – Pahang’s top Islamic religious cleric has insisted that non-Muslims are legally forbidden from using “Allah” as the debate continues over the right of the Arabic word for God.
Pahang Mufti Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Othman is the latest religious figure to dispute Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng’s statement that non-Muslims in the northern state were free to use the “Allah” word as the the prohibition was only a fatwa and therefore applicable to Muslims only.
“In this matter, we have to understand that there are specific Acts and enactments to explain the issue involving the use of the word “Allah” and other words that have already been agreed to before this.
“If it involves Acts, means that the prohibition is valid for Muslims only, but if decided as enactments, it must be applicable on all regardless of their beliefs or the religions they profess,” Abdul Rahman was quoted saying by Malay daily Berita Harian in a report today.
But Penang has no state laws banning non-Muslims from using the word “Allah”. It only has a fatwa or religious edict prohibiting the use of “Allah” and 39 other Arabic words by non-Muslims.
Lim had said non-Muslims were free to use the Arabic word “Allah” in Penang as the Administration of Religion of Islam (Penang) Enactment 2004 — under which a fatwa banning non-Muslims from using 40 Arabic words, including “Allah”, was created — only applies to Muslims.
The fatwa made by the Penang mufti was gazetted in 2010.
Ten states in Malaysia have passed laws banning non-Muslims from using certain Arabic words, including “Allah”, in their religious practices.
The exceptions are Penang, Sabah, Sarawak and the Federal Territories.
Lawyers told Malay Mail Online last January, that the Penang religious edict and a similar Sabah fatwa banning non-Muslims from using the word “Allah” are not binding on non-Muslims.
Abdul Rahman also reportedly said that the gazetted decision by the Penang fatwa council should be respected and not be turned into an issue.
Today, another Malay daily Sinar Harian reported a representative of yet another Muslim non-government organisation chiding the Penang chief minister for his “Allah” remark
Datuk Mustaffa Idrus, deputy chairman of the Malaysian International Institute of Islamic Cooperation (Ikiam) was reported telling Lim off for trying to take over the role of the Malay rulers as the religious heads of Islam in their states.
Mustaffa said that for states with no sultans, the Islamic religious affairs fall under the jurisdiction of the nation’s ruler Yang Di-Pertuan Agong.
“I advise Guan Eng, don’t insult Islam by issuing statements as if he is the leader of Islam in that state.
