MP SPEAKS | On March 15, the Malaysian government decided to file an appeal against the decision of the High Court in allowing the use of the word "Allah" by Christians in their publications in the country. Hence, the ball is now with the Court of Appeal.

Constitutionally speaking, in my considered view, the bold decision by the High Court judge on this issue has marked an important milestone as far as the issue of the constitutional right to freedom of religion in Malaysia is concerned. What adds to its flavour is that this decision to protect the rights of non-Muslims was handed over by a Muslim judge.

In Islamic history, a great saint in Morocco by the name of Sheikh Ahmad Zarruq was willing and ready to be banished to Libya for protecting and championing the religious rights of the Jews.

In honouring and respecting the Christians' constitutional rights to use the word "Allah" in their religious practices, the judge, inter alia, held that: "There is no such thing to restrict religious freedom under Article 11. Religious freedom is absolutely protected even in times of threat to public order."

A bold decision indeed...