It's Sultan's prerogative to issue decree, says council

SHAH ALAM- Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah of Selangor has the authority to issue a decree on the usage of the word "Allah" among non-Muslims as the head of Islam in the state.

Selangor Islamic Council (Mais) chairman Datuk Mohamad Adzib Mohd Isa said the council regretted the content of a letter from Tetuan Azri, Lee Swee Seng & Co dated Jan 10, questioning the position of the sultan as the head of Islam in the state as enshrined in the Federal Constitution and the Selangor state constitution 1959.

"Mais wants to again stress that the sultan's decree on the ban of the usage of the word "Allah" was made in line with his power according to the provision in the Non-Muslim Religion Enactment (Control of Propagation Among Muslims) 1988 which was gazetted on July 7, 1988," he said in a statement.

Adzib said Mais was aware of the case involving Jill Ireland Lawrence Bill against the Home Ministry in May 2009.

However, the substantive application of the case has not been heard, but the content of the letter made it look like the substantive order had been issued.

This, he said, was confusing and could create a bad perception among the people of the sultan of Selangor's position as the head of Islam in the state.

He said the law firm's action could be considered in contempt of court as it provided wrong facts on the case.

Meanwhile, two more state muftis have come out to say non-Muslims should not use the word "Allah".

The muftis, from Kedah and Pahang, also called on the Pas Syura Council to come out with a statement to the same effect.

Kedah mufti Datuk Muhamad Baderuddin Ahmad said while he could not predict the outcome of Sunday's Syura Council meeting, he hoped Pas would take the sentiments of the majority of Muslims in the country into account.

"Since 2010, the Kedah Mufti Department, as with several other mufti departments in the country, is of the view that non-Muslims should not use the word 'Allah' as it can create a serious misunderstanding."

Baderuddin said the people could be confused over the meaning of the word if it was not kept exclusive to Islam.

"If someone comes up to me and mentions 'Allah', I might have to ask him, 'which 'Allah' are you referring to, the Christian one or the Muslim one?. The situation could become very confusing."

Pahang mufti Datuk Abdul Rahman Osman said it was unwise to have multiple versions of "Allah", especially in a multi-religious society in Malaysia.

"Muslims always say 'Allah yang Maha Esa' to indicate the singularity of God. If there is a second or third 'Allah', then this word will lose its Islamic significance entirely."

While many are speculating that the Syura Council meeting would discuss the issue, Pas deputy spiritual leader Datuk Haron Din said the matter would only be raised if there was a request by the majority of the council members.

"If the members feel there is no need to discuss the issue, then we will not do so."

He also reiterated his belief that the word "Allah" should be exclusive to Muslims.

On Pas president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang's view that non-Muslims could use the word "Allah" as long as it was not abused, Haron said it would only result in negative implications.

Pas vice-president Salahuddin Ayub also declined to comment, saying he did not want to "jump the gun" on the council's final decision.

However, he stated that he supported Hadi that non-Muslims could use the word "Allah".

"It will be wise for all party members to stand firmly and support what the president said, as his stand was the party stand."

Yesterday, Muslims in several places across the nation staged demonstrations.

Carrying banners and placards, they called for non-Muslims not to use the word "Allah" when referring to God.

The demonstrations all took place outside mosques after Friday prayers.

-nst.com