Islamist party of Malaysia favours use of word ‘Allah’ by Christians

PETALING JAYA - Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS), which is an Islamist political party in Malaysia, has said that the use of “Allah” is permitted among people of the Abrahamic faiths such as Christianity and Judaism.

PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang made the statement that also supported the High Court’s decision that allowed the Christian weekly newsletter The Herald to use the word.

The PAS also urged the public not to misuse the word “Allah” for cheap politicking to gain mass support.

“The wrongful and irresponsible use of the word should be avoided so that it did not create an issue that jeopardises the racial and religious harmony of this country,” Abdul Hadi said in a statement on Monday.

Abdul Hadi said the principle of freedom of religion was championed by Islam because human beings could not be forced to profess any religion except through their own free will, The Star reports.

“In the Malaysian context, the situation must be considered for the sake of public interest to preserve the harmony among the various races and religions,” he said.

Abdul Hadi added that the party was ready to clear the air on the issue to anyone in order to preserve the harmony based the fairness that was enshrined under Article 11 of the Federal Constitution.

High Court judge Lau Bee Lan made the controversial decision and immediately invoked protests from some 13 Muslim non-governmental organisations against the decision.

Meanwhile, the Home Ministry has filed an appeal and for a stay of execution of the decision reached on December 31, 2009. (ANI)