Mais slams govt's 'unilateral' decision to withdraw appeal on 'Allah' ruling

The Selangor Islamic Religious Council (Mais) has slammed Putrajaya's "unilateral" withdrawal of an appeal against a landmark ruling which allowed Jill Ireland - a non-Muslim Sarawakian - to use the word "Allah".

Its chairperson Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof said all stakeholders should have been consulted prior to the decision.

"Mais does not agree with the government's withdrawal of the appeal. Mais is of the opinion that the matter not only concerns administration and security but also Muslims' creed and the powers of the Malay rulers as the heads of Islam in their respective states.

"Mais and two other state Islamic religious councils were previously allowed to act as 'amicus curiae' (friend of the court) in the case.

“Mais is upset and regrets the government’s 'unilateral' act in withdrawing the appeal without discussing with Mais and other parties that have an interest in the case," Aziz (above) said in a statement today.

It was reported earlier this year that Mais, as well as the Federal Territory Islamic Religious Council (MAIWP), and Kedah state religious council had withdrawn their intervener application in the appeal involving the Melanau Christian.

Mais upholds sultan's decree

Elaborating, Aziz said that Mais upholds Selangor ruler Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah’s decree in March last year that in the state, the word Allah is exclusive for Muslims and that state enactments prohibit non-Muslims from using it.

In the name of public interest, Mais wants the appeal against the use of the word "Allah" to proceed until the Federal Court level, he said.

"Therefore, Mais urges all quarters, including politicians to respect His Royal Highness' position as the head of Islam in the state, and to refer to the Non-Islamic Religions (Control of Propagation amongst Muslims) Enactment 1988, which is enforceable in Selangor, before taking any decisions.

"This is to ensure policies and decisions made are not in defiance of the sultan's position as the state's head of Islam and are in line with the laws enforceable in the state," he added.

Putrajaya withdrew the appeal via a notice of discontinuance filed at the Court of Appeal on April 18. - Mkini