PAS says ‘Allah’ can be used by Christians and others

PETALING JAYA: PAS says that the use of “Allah” is permitted among people of the Abrahamic faiths such as Christianity and Judaism.

Its president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang made the statement that also supported the High Court’s decision that allowed the Christian weekly newsletter The Herald to use the word.

PAS also urged the public not to misuse the word “Allah” for cheap politicking to gain mass support.

“The wrongful and irresponsible use of the word should be avoided so that it did not create an issue that jeopardises the racial and religious harmony of this country,” Abdul Hadi said in a statement read by the party information chief Idris Ahmad on Monday.

The statement was issued after a party political bureau meeting on the same day.

Abdul Hadi said the principle of freedom of religion was championed by Islam because human beings could not be forced to profess any religion except through their own free will.

“In the Malaysian context, the situation must be considered for the sake of public interest to preserve the harmony among the various races and religions,” Abdul Hadi said.

He added that the party was ready to clear the air on the issue to anyone in order to preserve the harmony based the fairness that was enshrined under article 11 of the Federal Constitution.

High Court judge Datuk Lau Bee Lan made the controversial decision and immediately invoked protests from some 13 Muslim non-governmental organisations against the decision.

Article Source Published: Tuesday January 5, 2010 MYT 12:21:00 PM By LESTER KONG
http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/1/5/nation/20100105122539&sec=nation