1. Worldwide Religious News (http://wwrn.org)
Malaysian goes to court to reclaim CDs containing the word 'Allah', 2 December 2009
by dpa ("EarthTimes," December 2, 2009)
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - A Malaysian Christian woman has gone to the courts to try and reclaim eight religious compact discs confiscated for containing the word "Allah," officials said Wednesday. Jill Ireland Lawrence Bill, from the eastern state of Sarawak on Borneo island, is seeking to overturn the Home Ministry's seizure of her CDs, which she claimed infringed on her constitutional right to practise her Christian religion.
The Kuala Lumpur High Court on Wednesday fixed January 12 for the hearing of the case.
In May 2008, the Home Ministry confiscated eight of Bill's CDs which were in the Malay and Indonesian language, after they were found to be using the word "Allah," which is banned for non-Muslim publications.
The Malaysian government claimed that use of the name in non-Muslim publications would cause confusion among Muslims, which make up 60 per cent of the country's 27-million population.
Critics say the government has no legal right to ban the use of a word that predated the Koran and Islam.
Bill asked the court to quash the ministry's action and declare that she has the right to possess, use and import publications containing the word.
She said she received a letter from the government in July last year citing the reasons for the confiscation, including that the CDs were a threat to security, used prohibited words and were a breach of Islamic guidelines.
2. Malaysiakini.com（http://www.malaysiakini.com）
Melanau native goes to court over 'Allah' on CDs, 2 December 2009
The Kuala Lumpur High Court will hear on Jan 12 the application by a member of the Melanau community to challenge the Home Ministry's decision confiscating eight compact discs (CDs) of Christian religious teachings containing the word 'Allah'.
Justice Alizatul Khair Osman fixed the date in chambers today.
Jill Ireland Lawrence Bill, 27, was granted leave on May 4 to initiate the judicial review proceedings against the ministry and the government, as respondents, to seek three reliefs from the court.
She wants an order of certiorari to quash the ministry's decision to confiscate the CDs, an order of mandamus to direct the ministry to return the CDs to her and a declaration that she has the legitimate expectation to exercise her right to possess, use and import publications containing the word 'Allah'.
On May 11 last year, the ministry seized the CDs under Section 9 (1) of the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 when Ireland, a clerk, disembarked at the Low-cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT) in Sepang.
The CDs containing titles including 'Cara Menggunakan Kunci Kerajaan Allah, Cara Hidup Dalam Kerajaan Allah and Ibadah Yang Benar Dalam Kerajaan Allah' were brought in from Indonesia.
Word used in prayers
Ireland, a Sarawakian native of the Christian faith, claimed that she used the word 'Allah' in her prayers, worship and religious education.
She claimed that she received a letter dated July 7 last year from the ministry outlining the reasons for the confiscation, including that it was a threat to security, that it used prohibited words and that it was a breach of Jakim guidelines.
She was represented by counsel Annou Xavier while senior federal counsel Suzana Atan appeared for the respondents.
(Bernama)
・11 comments
by Victor Johan
I browse the web to see whether the Hindus have any scriptures depicting the word "Allah". Many Northern Indian Hindus sing the following hymn or bhajan. Titled : RAGHUPATI RÃGHAV RÃJÃRÃM ........... Raghupati Rãghav Rãjãrãm Patit Pãvan Sitãrãm, Sitãrãm Jai Sitãrãm, Bhaj pyãre tu Sitãrãm, Raghupati Rãghav Rãjãrãm Patit Pãvan Sitãrãm, Ishwar Allãh Tere Nãm Sabko sanmati de Bhagwãn Raghupati Rãghav Rãjãrãm Patit Pãvan Sitãrãm. Question: Are the Hindus in Malaysia going to be barred from singing the bhajan. It is said that this was one of Mahatma Gandhi favorite prayer songs. This is one of the many more that contains "Allah" which means GOD, the Almighty, and the word is widely used in the Indian subcontinent, as well as Indonesia. I am sure all Malaysian would want some logical answers from our esteem learned policies makers.
by charles chia kwang dong
Calling all Sarawakian chrisrtians just throw out the BN gomen and you will have the freedom to call your God Allah. Sikit sedikit threat to National Security. Seriously UMNO remains the biggest threat of all.
by charles chia kwang dong
The Word Allah a threat to national security. What a bull. It really makes the muslims look stupid not knowing the Allah of the Koran from the Allah of the Bible. Not to mention that Bible are printed with the works - not for muslims.
by ida bakar
To all non-muslims reading this - we, the muslims KNOW that that the word Allah means God in Arabic. We have no problem with that. We are not so stupid as to insist that the Malay-muslims have the sole right to the word 'Allah'. Unfortunately, the so-called leadership are not so enlightened as being in the dark underneath their bigotted ethno-religious tempurung. So please, try differentiate between the two. I am sure Allah / God / the Almighty what ever he/she/it is called will appreciate the use of rational thoughts.
by X'roy
Jill Ireland Lawrence Bill, 27, we are behind you, if you need any assistance we are with you.
by X'roy
Sarawak had first rejected entry into Malaysia because of the position of Islam. It was Ghazali Shaffie and Wong Pow Nee who assured them otherwise, they promised freedom of religion, and that Islam was only the offical religion, Malaysia was not an Islamic state but a secular one as guaranteed by the Constitution. Is this government attempting to renege these issues if it is then the Sarawak natives have a right to ask for cessation from the Federation.
by Nedunchelian Vengu
To all Muslims out there, the word "Allah" is an Arabic word to refer to the GOD. Nothing to do with Islam religion. It was used by the Arabs before Islam era. Anybody including Buddist, Hindus and Jews could use this terminology. One more important thing that I would like to propose is the judge who is going to hear this case should be a non-muslim and non-Christian to avaid favouritism. I prefer Dato' Gopal Sri Ram.....
by Argonist
An exemplary citizen of Sarawak, I must say. May God guide you in your efforts to prove this government is wrong, wrong, and wrong!!! If as a private citizen one is not allowed to practise one's personal religion then it is time to throw away the Constitution and allow anarchy to rule!
by Louis
Why does the court take decades to rule on the usage of 'Allah' by Christians? I see that this is not a problem in Indonesia, the world largest Muslim population. Neither is there a problem in Turkey and other Islamic States. Malaysia is really special.
3. Utusan Malaysia Online (http://www.utusan.com.my)
Permohonan pertikai rampasan CD guna perkataan "Allah", 2 Disember 2009
KUALA LUMPUR 2 Dis. - Mahkamah Tinggi di sini hari ini menetapkan 12 Januari tahun depan untuk mendengar permohonan seorang wanita Kristian dari Sarawak mencabar tindakan Kementerian Dalam Negeri merampas daripadanya lapan cakera padat mengenai ajaran Kristian yang mengandungi perkataan “Allah”.
Hakim Datuk Alizatul Khair Osman menetapkan tarikh itu dalam kamar apabila kes itu disebut hari ini.
ill Ireland Lawrence Bill, 27, seorang kerani, memohon perintah certiriori bagi membatalkan keputusan kementerian itu merampas CD berkenaan, selain perintah mandamus bagi mengarahkan kementerian memulangkan CD itu kepada beliau, dan perisytiharan bahawa beliau berhak menyimpan, mengguna dan mengimport bahan penerbitan mengandungi perkataan “Allah”.
Pada 11 Mei tahun lepas, kementerian merampas CD berkenaan daripada wanita itu sebaik beliau tiba di Terminal Penerbangan Tambang Murah di Sepang.
CD itu mempunyai tajuk seperti “Cara Menggunakan Kunci Kerajaan Allah, Cara Hidup Dalam Kerajaan Allah and Ibadah Yang Benar Dalam Kerajaan Allah" dibawa masuk dari Indonesia.
Jill, yang diwakili peguam Annou Xavier, mendakwa beliau menggunakan perkataan Allah dalam doanya dan dalam pelajaran agama. - Bernama
(Tamat)
