Can non-Muslims sing the Selangor state anthem?

As the word Allah is part of the lyrics in several state anthems, the Prime Minister is obliged to clarify his position on this matter, says P Ramakrishnan.

Photograph: Wikipedia

His Royal Highness, the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, has called on the non-Muslims in the state of Selangor not to refer to God as Allah. This is the second time that such a call has been made.

This was announced by the Selangor Royal Council Secretary Hanafisah Jais on behalf of the Sultan. It was also explained that it was to avoid causing confusion among Muslims in Selangor.

Without meaning to be disrespectful to His Highness the Sultan of Selangor and with sincere apology if any offence is caused inadvertently, it is necessary to seek clarification on behalf of the non-Muslims who are caught in a bind with regard to this ruling.

The Selangor state anthem has the word Allah in the lyrics:

Duli Yang Maha Mulia
Selamat di atas takhta
Allah lanjutkan usia Tuanku
Rakyat mohon restu
Bawah Duli Tuanku
Bahagia selama-lamanya
Aman dan sentosa
Duli Yang Maha Mulia

In light of the ruling can the non-Muslims sing the state anthem? According to the ruling, the non-Muslims are prohibited from uttering the word Allah.

As the word Allah is also part of the lyrics in several state anthems, the Prime Minister is obliged to clarify his position on this matter. He is also obliged to state his stand on the National Anthem which has the word Tuhan in the lyrics. Can Muslims sing the National Anthem?

About P Ramakrishnan

P Ramakrishan, the long-serving former president of Aliran, has been granted a respite and now happily serves as an Aliran executive committee member. He has carried the flag for human rights and democracy for Aliran since its inception in 1977, when the term ‘human rights’ was considered something of a dirty word. ALIRAN