SHAH ALAM, Mar 13 – Selangor Islamic Religious Council (Mais) is of the opinion that the use of the word ‘Allah’ is exclusively for Muslims, said its Chairman Dato’ Setia Mohamad Adzib Mohd Isa.
 
He said, this was in in line with the provisions of the  Control  of Propagation Amongst Muslims) Enactment 1988 which stated the word could not be used by non-muslims.

 ”The use of this word has been gazetted in the enactment and it cannot be used for any religion other than Islam,” he said in a media conference at the Mais office here, this morning.

Also present was Mais Member,  Dato’ Salehuddin Saidin who is also an advocate and solicitor with with Salehuddin Saidin & Associates.
 
Mohamad Adzib explained, it was an offence for non-muslims to use the word ‘Allah’ in religious books or publications.
 
“Those who commit this offence could be charged and face a maximum fine of RM1,00,” he said.
 
He said, the enactment had been created by the State Legislative Body in line with Article 11(4) of the Federal Constitution which states that state laws can be enacted to control the propagation of any faith or belief among non-muslims.

He said, the word ‘Allah’ was the basis of muslim belief, through the pronouncement of faith which is the first of the five tenets of Islam.

He explained that the prohibition of the use of the word by any religion besides Islam was to avoid confusion among muslims on the concept of the oneness of Allah.

“This is because ‘Allah’ as meant in referred to in the Jewish and Christian faiths is not a single entity and has a child,” he said.

In a related development, he said that Mais was attempting to get the legal opinion of its lawyers on the action by the Malaysian Bar Council in getting votes from members of the public as feedback on this issue through its website.
 
“If the Bar Council’s actions have contravened any of the 1988 Enactment’s provisions then legal action will be taken against it,” he said.– MURIZA ABDUL HAMID