Islamic Council can intervene in review bid over use of word Allah

The Federal Territory Islamic Council (Maiwp) is today allowed to be placed an intervener in the Sidang Injil Borneo's (SIB) or Borneo Evangelical Church judicial review application on the use of the word Allah in its prayers.

This follows Kuala Lumpur High Court judge Justice Hanipah Farikullah allowing Maiwp's application to intervene.

Justice Hanipah made the decision in chambers after hearing the application by Maiwp which was represented by Mohd Hanif Khatri Abdulla.

According to Hanif, Justice Hanipah ruled that Maiwp has the the duty and authority to advise the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on Islamic affairs and (matters) affecting any publication on the use of the word Allah.

Lawyer Lim Heng Seng and Annou Xavier representing SIB indicated that they will appeal today's decision as they felt that Maiwp's role was only aiding and advising and this did not create any legal right or interests which entitled it to be heard in the judicial review.

"We wanted to avoid this matter to be perceived as Christians against Muslims," said Lim, adding that they would file an appeal soon at the Court of Appeal.

Rev Jerry Dusing, who was also present, agreed they would appeal.

This is the third challenge on the use of the word Allah for the Christian community.

In fact, SIB was the first to make the application to file the judicial review followed by the Roman Catholic Archbiahop and the Jill Ireland case.

However, the Roman Catholic's case was the first to be heard.

[More to follow]

-Mkini