NON-MUSLIMS CANNOT USE WORD 'ALLAH' - EX-IMAM

KUALA LUMPUR, March 6 (Bernama) -- A former grand imam of the National
Mosque told the Lower House of Parliament Thursday that the word "Allah" based
on the belief of Muslims, cannot be used by the non-Muslims.

Taib Azamudden Mat Taib who is Pas (an opposition party) representative for
Baling, said this was because the meaning of Allah to other religions was
different from the meaning of Allah to Islam.

Taib gave this explanation after Deputy Speaker Wan Junaidi Tuanku
Jaafar and Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Dr Ahmad Zahid
Hamidi asked him to explain the issue on the use of word "Allah".

Zahid, when winding up the motion of thanks for the royal address, said
later that Taib's explanation was in accordance with the stance of the
government, Islamic Development Department and National Fatwa Council.

Two other Pas lawmakers -- Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad and Khalid
Samad -- however had a different opinion.

Dr Dzulkefly said questions on the use of word Allah should not arise
because according to the Quran, the word Allah was also used by non-Muslims.
Khalid agreed and cited a verse which says the non-Muslims acknowledge that the
Earth was created by Allah.

Tiong King Sing, another MP, meanwhile, suggested the setting up
of a commitee to discuss the matter to avoid misunderstanding.

The Lower House of Parliament will sit again on Tuesday.

The Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party or the Islamic Party of Malaysia commonly
known as PAS or Pas, is an Islamist political party in Malaysia. Pas together
with two other parties formed part of a coalition called People's Alliance
following the 2008 Malaysia's election.


-- BERNAMA