KULAI – The Johor Islamic Religious Department (JAINJ) is likely to hold a watching brief in the federal government’s appeal against the Kuala Lumpur High Court’s decision on the use of the word “Allah”.
State Islamic Religious Affairs Committee chairman Tosrin Jarvanthi said the action is taken in support of Putrajaya’s efforts over the matter.
“This issue has been brought to the Johor fatwa department, and we are waiting for the appeal process on the issue from the federal government.
“Most likely, JAINJ will hold a watching brief, led by Johor mufti Datuk Yahya Ahmad, in the proceeding,” he said when asked if the state government is ready to assist Putrajaya in its appeal on the issue, as decreed by Johor’s Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar recently.
Tosrin said the Johor Islamic Religious Council is ready to help any party in finding the best decision and formula over the issue of the use of the word “Allah”.
“We are ready to help any party to find the best decision and formula in this issue, and hope Muslims remain patient and do not come up with their own decisions as it (the issue) can touch on sensitivities.”
On March 18, Sultan Ibrahim ordered the council to take appropriate and necessary actions to support the federal government’s efforts to file an appeal against the issue.
The Kuala Lumpur High Court on March 10 ruled that Christians nationwide could use the word “Allah” and three other Arabic words – “Baitullah”, “Kaabah”, and “solat” – in their religious publications for educational purposes.
However, the Home Ministry and Malaysian government filed an appeal against the decision on March 15. – Bernama, March 24, 2021
