(Archbishop’s ring image source: archway.org.my)
KUALA LUMPUR, 24 April 2009: The Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur was given leave by the High Court here today to quash the Home Ministry’s decision prohibiting the use of the word “Allah” in the Herald Catholic Weekly.
Archbishop Datuk Murphy Nicholas Xavier Pakiam was also granted leave to apply for nine declarations, including declaring that the decision of Home Ministry and the government of Malaysia was illegal and ultra vires the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984.
His counsel, S Selvarajah, told reporters that Justice Lau Bee Lan granted the leave under Order 53 of the Rules of the High Court in chambers.
Senior federal counsel Suzana Atan, for the ministry and government, did not object to the application.
Lau also fixed 28 May to hear the application for a stay of the Home Ministry’s decision.
On 16 Feb, this year, Murphy, as publisher of the Herald, filed for a judicial review to quash the decision of the respondents dated 7 Jan 2009 that the applicant’s publication permit for the period 1 Jan 2009 until 31 Dec 2009, is subject to the condition that he be prohibited from using the word “Allah” in the Herald.
The other seven declarations sought are:
That the applicant has the constitutional right to use the word “Allah” in the Herald in the exercise of his right that other religions other than Islam may be practised in peace.
That Article 3(1) of the Federal Constitution does not empower the respondents to prohibit the applicant from using the word “Allah” in the Herald.
That the applicant has the constitutional right to use the word “Allah” in the weekly in the exercise of his right to freedom of speech and expression.
That the applicant has the constitutional right to use the word “Allah” in the Herald in the exercise of his freedom of religion which includes the right to manage its own religious affairs.
That the applicant has the constitutional right to use the word “Allah” in the Herald in the exercise his right in respect of education of the Catholic congregation in the Christian religion.
That the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 does not authorise the respondents to prohibit the applicant from using the word “Allah” in the Herald and
That the word “Allah” is not exclusive to the religion of Islam. — Bernama
See also: The problem with the “Allah” ban
God's name says
When Moses asked God what is God’s name that he should tell to the people of Israel when they asked him . God said: “I am who I am.”
Words are limited when we want to call upon God, and no religious institution can monopolize or manipulate God. God is bigger than any religious institution on earth. We can only bow down in humility before the Almighty, arrogance is surely not the attitude for a man or woman of God.