JOHOR ruler Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar has urged Putrajaya to continue its appeal against the High Court’s ruling to all non-Muslims nationwide to use the Arabic word for God, “Allah”.

“As the head of Islam in the state of Johor, I urge the federal government to pursue its appeal in this proceeding. 

“I will also decree that the Johor Islamic Religious Council take whatever steps needed to support this appeal,” Sultan Ibrahim said in a statement.

He added that he felt disappointed over the matter as it had potential to cause negative impact on the harmony among people in Johor.

“The sensitivity of Muslims and our multiracial and multireligious society should be considered in any decision or court judgement as such issues are very close to my heart as the head of Islam in Johor,” the ruler added.

He said to allow non-Muslims to use the Arabic word for “God” would mean that the word is not used according to its proper meaning.

The Home Ministry is appealing the ruling by the Kuala Lumpur High Court in the case of Sarawakian Bumiputera Christian, Jill Ireland, who challenged the constitutionality of the ministry’s ban on non-Muslims from using the word.

The court’s decision on March 10 held that Jill Ireland had been deprived of her constitutional right to practise her religion.

In a suit filed in 2008, Jill sought official recognition of her constitutional rights to practise her religion and non-discrimination under Article 11 and 8 of the federal constitution.

She filed her suit after eight CDs of educational Christian material containing the word “Allah” were seized from her at Kuala Lumpur International Airport on her return from Indonesia.

Bumiputera Christians contend that they have used “Allah” to mean God in their religious practice for generations. The Arabic word is also used in Bahasa Melayu. – March 18, 2021.