Fatwa Bans Christians from Using Word 'Allah'

[Jeebus]

A Malaysian Sultan has issued a fatwa prohibiting non-Muslims from using the word "Allah" in Arabic.

The Sultan of the Malaysian state of Selangor, Sharafuddin Idris Shah, issued the prohibition on Tuesday, according to the Lebanon Debate newspaper.

Malaysian media have reported that the prohibition has been put in place by the Islamic leader because it is a "sacred word," and should be reserved exclusively for Muslims, according to MidEast Christian News.

The sultan has ordered the Islamic Council of Selangor and the Islamic Affairs Department in the state to take strict action against all groups that question the fatwa and the 1988 Ordinance, which prohibits the use of the word "Allah" in Arabic [by non-Muslims].

I guess a fatwa is better than the normal Islamic call for "jihad" whenever they get their panties in a wad.

The religion of peace strikes again.

[WKDWZD]

Is that the same as some Jews that say G-d instead of God? Funny things religions, mostly cracked, if you ask me.

[bmorepunk]

This issue has a history in Malaysia. Technically the Sultan is in violation of federal law but the federal government will have to step into the fight as they have with some other cases.

[octoburn]

A Malaysian Sultan has issued a fatwa prohibiting non-Muslims from using the word "Allah" in Arabic.



I guess a fatwa is better than the normal Islamic call for "jihad" whenever they get their panties in a wad.

The religion of peace strikes again.

This certainly changes my weekend traveling plans.

[Baltimatt]

Who the hell does this dip think he is? I recall hearing something about this were Christians were supposedly prohibited from calling God Allah, and the think the government or religious authorities backed down.

[Baltimatt]

http://talk.baltimoresun.com/showthread.php?t=231572

There was some court ruling in late 2009 saying a Catholic Newspaper could use Allah for God, so I don't know how much legal weight that decision carries vs. this stupid sultan.

[Baltimatt]

From the Herald

Neither the Selangor Sultan’s decree nor a fatwa banning non-Muslims from using the word “Allah” for their gods is enforceable, lawyers say, but they added that a 1988 state law could trigger another courtroom battle for those who persist — in the latest faith storm to hit Malaysia. Christians and Sikhs nationwide have protested the Selangor Sultan’s blanket ban and warning by the state’s Islamic authorities that they would enforce the law on non-Muslims, insisting they have the constitutional right to also call their gods “Allah” as prescribed in their holy books.

...

But the lawyer noted that section 9 of the 1988 state law “cannot be a blanket ban on the use of the word ‘Allah’ for non-Muslims, as it would encroach on a non-Muslims constitutionally guaranteed freedom of religion under Article 11(1) of the Federal Constitution, which the states do not have power to restrict or control”. He also pointed to a 2009 judgment where the civil High Court ruled that “if any action is taken by the Rulers and YDPA which affect the affairs of non-Islamic religions, such action would be construed as unconstitutional”. YDPA stands for Yang di-Pertuan Agong, a title accorded the country’s king.