High Court to hear case over use of the word ‘Allah’
by lilian ~ April 24th, 2008
(The Star) - The Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur Most Rev Datuk Murphy Pakiam will make an appearance at the High Court here tomorrow for a case over the use of the word “Allah.”The Herald editor Rev Father Lawrence Andrew confirmed that the archbishop would be present when the court hears an application filed against the Government over the use of the word “Allah” in the Catholic weekly.
“This case is of national interest. It is not just a case for Catholics but for all Christians in Malaysia as it affects us all,” he said when contacted yesterday.
The Herald is seeking to quash the decision of the Internal Security Minister (whose ministry is now merged with the Home Affairs Ministry to form the Home Ministry) in a letter dated Feb 12, which imposed conditions on its publishing permit.
Among the conditions was a prohibition on the use of the word “Allah” in the Catholic weekly.
Pakiam, in his capacity as the Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur, is named as the applicant in this action as publisher of The Herald.
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He is also the president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei.
Apart from this application, another suit had also been filed in December seeking, among others, to declare that the word “Allah” is not exclusive to the religion of Islam. The suit is still pending.
I have written some related posts on this issue on my personal blog :
Islamisation of Malaysia - report
The Allah issue and the Islamisation thingie
ISLAMISATION OF MALAYSIA - Catholics in Malaysia, please read
Catholics in Malaysia - The Herald receives it new publishing permit.
WTH? God’s name also want to control?
I pray justice prevails and wisdoms are shown by our leaders.
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April 26th, 2008 at 4:01 pm
Pls also see
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/12/27/asia/AS-REL-Malaysia-Allah-Ban.php
I just bumped into your blog. I have been following this issue, too and we have been praying about.
I just want to say that I couldn’t imagine how sad God (the God of Abraham common to Christians and Islam) is knowing that some of his creation is prohibited to use His own word ‘Allah’ as I believe every word also comes from Him. Shall we not be in fear and trembling for being overbearing and being answerable to God when we meet Him face to face?
So many things happening here in Malaysia that have not happened before when it comes to religious freedom. I think we have to be on our knees more.
God bless.
April 27th, 2008 at 1:35 pm
[...] I want to write about how the Catholic church is suing the Government for forbidding the Catholic church to use the word Allah in the Catholic’s publication The Herald. But you know lah, if I start to open my mouth, it will attract all the above like flies attracted [...]
May 10th, 2008 at 12:25 pm
Thank you for your comment above under The Obnoxious 5xmom. I guess I am one of those flies attracted to your durian or belacan. (May be not belacan cos it causes me allergies!) And yes I am especially attracted to the Herald Court case and no further escalation of loss of Christian rights in this country for my children and your children and great great grandchildren.
Haiya, no need to be sarcastic lah. Friends?