A fracas erupted outside the Palace of Justice in Putrajaya today, where members from various Malay rights NGOs had gathered for the appeal hearing on the use of the term 'Allah'.
About 11:15am, members of the crowd, who demanded that "Allah" be exclusive only to Muslims in Malaysia, tried to push through policemen guarding the entrance to enter the court lobby.
The crowd chanted "La ila ha Illalah (There is no God except Allah)" and marched in solidarity to pressure the policemen.
Perkasa leader Irwan Fahmi Ideris and the movement’s assistant secretary Norlizaizul Ismail tried to placate the crowd while the policemen held the crowd back.
But some leaders who asked those present to calm down and retreat were seen tugged away by the increasingly angry crowd.
The cause of the commotion was later attributed to a claim that representatives from human rights NGO Comango were allowed to enter the court lobby.
The crowd of about 500 people grew restless, having gathered outside the court since 8am, with banners.
Led by Perkasa's Ibrahim Ali, they held prayers before spewing angry words at those who defended the right of non-Muslims to use the term 'Allah'.
Shortly before the ruckus, they also recited prayers for the trial to end quickly.
During his speech, Ibrahim criticised opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim for encouraging non-Muslims to use the term Allah during his address at a church in Kajang recently.
"Such creatures forsake their religion for the sake of political gain," the Perkasa leader said.
Among the other speakers was Penang's Persatuan Melayu Tanjung (Permata) chairperson Ismail Kassim, who called on all Malays, young and old, to defend the name of Allah.
"If my dead ancestors can rise from the grave today, they will 'finish' them all," Ismail said.
Meanwhile, human rights lawyer Siti Kassim (left) also attracted attention with her black T-shirt that bore the words, "Almighty Allah, Allah - Lord of the whole world". She also carried a bouquet of chrysanthemums.
Siti explained that her presence in court along with four others was to show the alternative views of other Malays, those who do not support the use of the word "Allah" as exclusive to Muslims in Malaysia.
About 11:15am, members of the crowd, who demanded that "Allah" be exclusive only to Muslims in Malaysia, tried to push through policemen guarding the entrance to enter the court lobby.
The crowd chanted "La ila ha Illalah (There is no God except Allah)" and marched in solidarity to pressure the policemen.
Perkasa leader Irwan Fahmi Ideris and the movement’s assistant secretary Norlizaizul Ismail tried to placate the crowd while the policemen held the crowd back.
But some leaders who asked those present to calm down and retreat were seen tugged away by the increasingly angry crowd.The cause of the commotion was later attributed to a claim that representatives from human rights NGO Comango were allowed to enter the court lobby.
The crowd of about 500 people grew restless, having gathered outside the court since 8am, with banners.
Led by Perkasa's Ibrahim Ali, they held prayers before spewing angry words at those who defended the right of non-Muslims to use the term 'Allah'.Shortly before the ruckus, they also recited prayers for the trial to end quickly.
During his speech, Ibrahim criticised opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim for encouraging non-Muslims to use the term Allah during his address at a church in Kajang recently.
"Such creatures forsake their religion for the sake of political gain," the Perkasa leader said.
Among the other speakers was Penang's Persatuan Melayu Tanjung (Permata) chairperson Ismail Kassim, who called on all Malays, young and old, to defend the name of Allah."If my dead ancestors can rise from the grave today, they will 'finish' them all," Ismail said.
Meanwhile, human rights lawyer Siti Kassim (left) also attracted attention with her black T-shirt that bore the words, "Almighty Allah, Allah - Lord of the whole world". She also carried a bouquet of chrysanthemums.Siti explained that her presence in court along with four others was to show the alternative views of other Malays, those who do not support the use of the word "Allah" as exclusive to Muslims in Malaysia.
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