Non-Muslims cannot use the word 'Allah', rules Malaysian court

Federal Court judge Seri Mohamed Apandi Ali, heading a three-judge bench, said  the home minister had not acted in any manner or way that merited judicial interference on his decision to prohibit the publication to use the word “Allah”.



“On evidence before us too we are satisfied that sufficient materials have been considered by the minister (home minister) in discharging his function and statutory power under the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984,” the judge said.

“It is our common finding that the usage of the name ‘Allah' is not an integral part of the faith and practice of Christianity,” said Justice Apandi, who read the summary of the decision.

The other two judges presiding on the panel were Justices Abdul Aziz Abd Rahim and Mohd Zawawi Salleh.