WITHDRAW PERMISSION TO USE "ALLAH" IN CHRISTIAN PUBLICATIONS

KEPALA BATAS (Malaysia), Feb 28 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Islamic Da'wah Foundation (Yadim) Saturday called on the Malaysian government to withdraw the permission for the conditional use of the word "Allah" in Christian publications.

Its chairman Mohd Nakhaie Ahmad said the government had not acted
wisely in allowing the use of the word in Christian publications, which he said
could anger Muslims not only in the country but also throughout the world.

He said the government should have left the matter for the court to decide.

"To me, it's a mistake," he told reporters after opening a halal carnival
here Saturday.

A government gazette dated Feb 16 has stated that documents and publications
relating to Christianity containing the world "Allah" are prohibited unless the
words "FOR CHRISTIANITY" are written on their front covers.

The condition was contained under the Internal Security (Prohibition on Use
of Specific Words on Document and Publication) Order 2009.

Paragraph 2(1) of the order reads: The printing, publication, sale, issue,
circulation and possession of any document and publication relating to
Christianity containing the words "Allah", "Kaabah, "Baitullah" and "solat" are
prohibited unless on the front cover of the document and publication are written
with the words "FOR CHRISTIANITY".

-- BERNAMA