Selangor sultan: Don't politicise or debate 'Allah' issue

 

Selangor ruler, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, has urged all quarters against politicising or debating the "Allah" issue pending the Conference of Rulers' decision on the matter.

"I urge everyone to respect the Federal Constitution, which accords rights and powers to the Malay rulers on matters pertaining to Islam.

"The decision on this issue should be made carefully according to the Federal Constitution, which stipulates Islam as the official religion, while at the same time, allows other religions to be practised peacefully," the ruler said in a statement today.

Earlier, Sultan Sharafuddin (above, right) granted an audience to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to gain updates on the government's withdrawal of an appeal against a landmark ruling which allowed Jill Ireland - a non-Muslim Sarawakian - to use the word "Allah".

Elaborating, Sultan Sharafuddin, who is also the chairperson of the National Council of Islamic Religious Affairs (MKI), said he told Anwar that the matter should be deliberated by the council first before it is escalated to the Council of Rulers.

"I also think the issue concerning the use of the word 'Allah' by non-Muslims should be resolved the soonest with wisdom and responsibility by the government, as it concerns Muslim sensitivities.

"Thus, the prime minister has agreed with my proposal to bring the issue to the MKI in August, before it is brought to the attention of the Council of Rulers in October," the sultan said.

"I believe the MKI's opinion is crucial when the matter is escalated to the Council of Rulers, before a decision is made."

The Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah recently reminded that a failure to resolve issues surrounding the use of the word "Allah" by non-Muslims could lead to a polemic - with the potential to adversely affect unity and harmony in the country.

"It is an issue of the Muslim faith. Any confusion will only trigger a disaster," said the king in his speech during an investiture ceremony held in conjunction with his birthday celebration on Monday.

Meanwhile, in a separate statement, Anwar said that the government was steadfast in its stance that the word “Allah” can only be used by Muslims in Peninsular Malaysia and with restrictions for non-Muslims in Sabah and Sarawak.

"The government is also committed to streamlining existing policies according to the resolution by the Council of Rulers, which would be used as a final decision on the use of the word 'Allah' by non-Muslims in Malaysia," he said.

The premier added that during his audience with Sultan Sharafuddin, he had assured the latter that Putrajaya would always respect the laws of each state, and the position of the Malay rulers as the head of the religion. - Mkini