The Home Ministry today filed an application to stay the execution of the high court ruling that the word 'Allah' can be used by the Catholic weekly magazine, Herald .

 

The application was filed at the High Court Registry. It will be heard tomorrow before High Court judge Lau Bee lan.

   

herald the catholic weekly online 241207 Yesterday, the ministry lodged an appeal with the Court of Appeal against the ruling.

 

On Dec 31, Justice Lau ruled that pursuant to Articles 11 and 12 of the federal constitution, The Herald had the constitutional right to use the word in respect of instruction and education of the congregation in the Christian religion.

 

She also said that pursuant to Article 11(4) of the federal constitution, it was an offence for non-Muslims to use the word 'Allah' to Muslims to propagate the religion but it was not an offence for non-Muslims to use the word to non-Muslims for the purpose of religion.

'Don't create tension'

Jamil Khir Baharom In a related development, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Jamil Khir Baharom urged websites and blogs to refrain from carrying anything negative on the issue.

He said websites and blogs should adhere to their limitations and not allow any negativity which could be misused as a medium by others to undermine the peace and order in the country.

   

Any misuse of negativity could spark tension among the people because debating matters associated with religion was something most sensitive, he told a news conference.

Jamil Khir was commenting on his meeting with representatives of 22 Islamic non-governmental organisations (NGOs) yesterday to discuss their views on the government's filing of an appeal.

He said the NGOs suggested that the matter be discussed through existing legal channels and that it be raised with the Conference of Rulers.

He said the Islamic Development Department would carry on with its intellectual dialogue with non-Muslim groups to explain the use of the word 'Allah'.

"For the Muslims, a more in-depth explanation will be given through the existing channels, such as Friday sermons and Islamic forums, to maintain harmony," he added.

- Bernama