PETALING JAYA: Only Muslims can use the word “Allah” in Selangor, Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amiruddin Shari has reiterated.
He said the state administration would abide by Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah’s decree on March 23, 2021.
“The Sultan, as the head of Islam in the state, had said the use of the word Allah in Selangor by non-Muslims is prohibited,” said Amiruddin yesterday.
“This is in line with the Federal Court ruling in the case of ‘Titular Roman Catholic Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur vs the Home Ministry’ in 2014 and the fatwa gazetted in Selangor on Feb 18, 2010, over the matter,” he added.
He said the state acknowledged the Home Ministry’s statement and recommendation on state enactments regarding this issue, as well as its statement of commitment that the rights and enactments of states provided under the Non-Islamic Religions Enactment 1988 would be protected.
“This means the latest development will not disrupt or threaten the state government’s stand on the use of the word Allah.
“The state government will continue to protect the interests and sensitivities that religious faith is to be respected and not to disrupt the harmony and unity of Selangor,” Amiruddin added.
Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was committed to defending the government’s policy on the use of the word Allah based on the Federal Court decision in 2014.
Ahmad Zahid also said Putrajaya would streamline issues involving the use of the word and present its proposals to the Conference of Rulers to uphold Islam’s position as the religion of the Federation as enshrined in the Federal Constitution, while ensuring racial and religious harmony.
He said this after a meeting with Anwar yesterday, where he was accompanied by Umno secretary general Datuk Seri Dr Asyraf Wajdi.
