Non-Muslims can’t use ‘Allah’, says Sultan of Malaysia’s Selangor

The Sultan of the Malaysian state of Selangor has barred non-Muslims in the state from using "Allah", saying it is a sacred word exclusive to Muslims.

A statement from Selangor Islamic Affairs Council (Mais) secretary Mohd Misri Idris said Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah had expressed shock and regret over a lawmaker, Lim Guan Eng''s recent statement urging the government to allow the word "Allah" to be used in the Malay version of the Bible.

Lim, who is the Penang Chief Minister, had stated this in his New Year message.

According to Mohd Misri the Sultan made a decision and decreed that the word Allah'' is a sacred word specific to Muslims, the Star reports.

The use of the word is prohibited to be used by any non-Muslim in Selangor, as stated in a fatwa and gazetted on Feb 18, 2010, Misri added.

According to the report, the ruler''s decree came ahead of a politician coalition Pakatan Rakyat meeting at which the word "Allah" had been allowed to be used by even non-Muslims.

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