SHAH ALAM – The Selangor mufti today expressed support for Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah’s decree that the use of the word “Allah” in the Bahasa Malaysia translation of the Bible, or any printed publications on Christianity, is prohibited in the state.
State Mufti Datuk Mohd Tamyes Abd Wahid, in a statement, said “Allah” is a sacred word to Muslims, and can be used only to refer to the Almighty and Most-Perfect God.
It is the responsibility of all Muslims to protect the sanctity of the term at all times, in line with the decision of the state fatwa committee meeting on February 18, 2010, he said.
He said elements of insult or misuse involving the term must be prevented in accordance with the provisions of the law.
Tamyes said the 2010 meeting stressed that the word “Allah” cannot be used to refer to God by religions other than Islam.
Given this, he said, Muslims should support every effort to prohibit the use of the word in the wrong context by followers of other faiths, with the aim of curbing public confusion.
He urged Muslims, especially those in Selangor, to continue to protect the sanctity of the word “Allah”, especially when it concerns matters that could threaten adherents’ faith.
“Muslims and non-Muslims must respect the decision that has been gazetted.” – Bernama, March 26, 2021
