KUALA LUMPUR, March 10 — The High Court here today ruled that Christians nationwide can use the word “Allah” and three other Arabic words in their religious publications for educational purposes.
The three other words are Baitullah, Kaabah and solat.
This follows Court of Appeal Judge Datuk Nor Bee Ariffin, sitting as High Court judge, allowing a judicial review application by a Sarawak native Christian, Jill Ireland Lawrence Bill.
In the application, Jill Ireland had sought among others a declaration that it is her constitutional right to have access to Christian publications in the exercise of her rights to practise her religion and right to education, as provided under Article 11 of the Federal Constitution.
She also wanted the court to declare the Home Ministry’s 1986 circular to ban the word “Allah” in Christian publications as unconstitutional and unlawful.
Justice Nor Bee in her ruling held that the directive by the Home Ministry in 1986 not to allow the use of the four words is filled with illegality and irrationality.
“The use of the words would not disrupt public order,” she said.
Justice Nor Bee added that, the words could also be used by the community for teaching purposes as they have been in use for more than 400 years.
When contacted, Senior Federal Counsel Shamsul Bolhassan, who acted for the Home Ministry and the government, confirmed that the four words can be used by Christians for their religious publications.
“However, publications that contain the four words must carry a disclaimer that it is intended for Christians only as well as a cross symbol,” he said.
The legal battle over the matter started 13 years ago after Jill Ireland commenced the judicial review application on Aug 20, 2008 for the return of eight (compact discs) CDs which were seized from her on May 11, 2008, upon her arrival at the Low-Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT) in Sepang.
The CDs were with the titles “Cara Hidup Dalam Kerajaan Allah”, “Hidup Benar Dalam Kerajaan Allah” and “Ibadah Yang Benar Dalam Kerajaan Allah”.
She filed the judicial review application to challenge the seizure of the CDs as well as sought a declaration over her constitutional rights in relation to the use of the word “Allah” in Christian publications.
The High Court had in July 2014 held that the Home Ministry was wrong to seize the CDs and ordered it be returned, but did not decide on the constitutional issues raised by the woman.
In June 2015, the Court of Appeal had directed the Home Ministry to return the CDs after dismissing the the appeal by the two (Home Ministry and Government).
The Court of Appeal in the ruling also remitted the matter back to the High Court to hear on the constitutional issues.
The High Court was supposed to pronounce its verdict in 2018 but it was postponed for several times due to various grounds.
More Stories
Nation Recovers RM15.5 Billion Of Its Revenue, War Against Corruption And Cartels To Go On – Anwar
Budget 2026 Reflects Govt’s Commitment To Integrity, Curbing Leakages – Azam
Dewan Negara Passes Five Bills Including Legal Aid And Public Defence 2025