KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 15 — Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today defended his Pakatan Rakyat colleague Lim Guan Eng over the right of non-Muslims to use the word “Allah”, saying the Penang chief minister’s remarks were not offensive.
The opposition leader said there were “compelling reasons” to support Lim’s stand, and that world-renowned Islamic scholars like Sheikh Yusof Qardawi have repeatedly stated non-Muslims have a right to use the word “Allah”.
“He is absolutely right,” Anwar told reporters when met at the high court here, referring to Lim.
“World renowned ulamas have taken the same position, contrary to state religious departments. I defend his right because I have said similar things,” the Permatang Pauh MP added.
Penang police have opened investigation papers over Chief Minister Lim’a statement to non-Muslims in the state on the issue of the use of the word “Allah”.
State police chief Datuk Abdul Rahim Hanafi said the matter was being investigated under the Police Enquiry Papers after police received a report on Lim’s statement.
Lim had said non-Muslims were free to use the Arabic word “Allah” in Penang as the Administration of Religion of Islam (Penang) Enactment 2004 — under which a fatwa banning non-Muslims from using 40 Arabic words, including “Allah”, was created — only applies to Muslims.
The fatwa made by the Penang mufti was enforced in 2010.
Ten states in Malaysia have passed laws banning non-Muslims from using certain Arabic words, including “Allah”, in their religious practices. The exceptions are Penang, Sabah, Sarawak and the Federal Territories.
Lawyers told Malay Mail Online last January that the Penang religious edict and a similar Sabah fatwa banning non-Muslims from using the word “Allah” are not binding on non-Muslims.
