Sarawak Christian free to use ‘Allah’ in religious education

Kuala Lumpur: In a landmark ruling, the High Court here has allowed a judicial review application by Sarawakian Christian Jill Ireland that she can use the word “Allah” in her religious education.

Judge Noor Bee Ariffin said a Dec 5, 1986, home ministry directive to prohibit the use of the words “Allah”, “Baituallah”, “Solat” and “Kaabah” by non-Muslims was illegal and unconstitutional.

The judge said the directive was wrongly issued as it went beyond the aim of the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984.

“The law is only to check on undesirable publications. It is not a general law to check on public order, public health and morality,” she said.

Noor Bee, who took 90 minutes to read her grounds of judgment, said that as such, the directive to prevent non-Muslims from using the four words was set aside.

She said Ireland had the constitutional right to use and import any publications for her religious education.

“Under Article 8 of the Federal Constitution, the applicant is guaranteed to practice her faith without discrimination,” the judge said.

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