January 6, 2010

‘Allah’ decision suspended pending appeal


by Sara Levy

Kuala Lumpur High Court has temporarily suspended its decision to let non-Muslims in Malaysia use the word ‘Allah’ to describe God pending a government appeal.

Last week the court ruled against government legislation that bans non-Muslims from using the word Allah.

The court said making Allah exclusive to Muslims is unconstitutional in a country that allows freedom of religion.

The Malaysian government’s lawyer, Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail, said he asked church lawyers not to block his request to suspend the court’s decision.

“We have applied and they consented to a stay out of national interest,” he said.

“The stay was allowed pending the disposal of the appeal at the Court of Appeal.

“This is premised on the fact that the appeal must be heard as quickly as possible.”

Benjamin Dawson, lawyer for the Catholic Church, said his client agreed to the stay “on the grounds of national interest”.

Around 60% of Malaysia’s 28 million citizens are Muslim.

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