Muslim protests court decision to allow Allah in Catholic magazine.

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Pas National to decided their stand soon.

The PAS national leadership will meet tomorrow night to decide on their stand regarding the controversial High Court ruling that has allowed the Catholic weekly, Herald, to use the word “Allah” in its national language publications.

Party vice-president Salahuddin Ayub tonight confirmed the special meeting, saying it was urgent as it involved an important public issue.

“Yes, we are having a meeting tomorrow as this is an important issue and we need to discuss to make a stand,” Salahuddin told The Malaysian Insider.

“After the discussion, the president (Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang) will issue a statement on our official stand,” he said.

The special meeting will be held at the party’s headquarters to arrive at the party’s official stand following differing opinions expressed by several PAS leaders over the usage of “Allah” by the Roman Catholic Church in its publications.

On Dec 31 High Court judge Justice Datuk Lau Bee Lan made the decision that the church had a constitutional right to use the term “Allah” and the Home Ministry was wrong to prohibit its usage.

PAS secretary-general Datuk Mustafa Ali also confirmed that the meeting would involve the political bureau and central committee members.

“The main agenda is related to the use of ‘Allah’ following the court judgment,” he said.

Earlier, PAS spiritual leader Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat came out in support of the Herald’s use of “Allah” to describe the Christian God in the national language, saying it was permissible for those following Abrahamic faiths.

But the popular cleric expressed worry that the word “Allah” could be abused by certain quarters, echoing a growing sentiment among Muslim Malaysians aghast at the ruling.

“It’s just a fear it can be abused. That’s the worry,” the Kelantan mentri besar said today when commenting on the landmark ruling.

The government has said it will appeal against the ruling. A group opposed to the decision has started a Facebook group to get the government to reverse the ruling.

However, others including influential cleric and former Perlis mufti Dr Asri Zainal Abidin, have supported the ruling, saying all are encouraged to follow Allah.

Speaking to reporters after launching the state Women, Family and Health Development Secretariat, Nik Aziz said the authorities, such as scholars, should have a dialogue with the Christian clergy over the issue.

“This is so that there is no confusion among the society.

“In fact, Islamic philosophy itself can be spread through such events,” he added.

The PAS Kelantan commissioner also said he was willing to attend such events if it was organised.

Nik Aziz: Non-Muslims can use ‘Allah’

PAS spiritual leader Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat has come out in support of the Catholic weekly Herald use of ‘Allah’ to describe the Christian God in the national language, saying it was permissible for those following the Abrahamic faith.

But the popular cleric expressed worry that the word “Allah” could be abused by certain quarters, echoing growing sentiment of Muslim Malaysians aghast at the Dec 31 High Court ruling that permitted its use.

“Its just a fear it can be abused. That’s the worry,” the Kelantan mentri besar said today when commenting on the landmark ruling.

Justice Datuk Lau Bee Lan said in her oral judgment that the Herald had a constitutional right to use the word, touching off a controversy that has led some Muslim groups to protest the ruling.

The government has said it will appeal against the ruling. A group has already started a Facebook group to get the government to reverse the ruling.

However, others including influential cleric and former Perlis mufti Dr Asri Zainal Abidin, have supported the ruling, saying all are encouraged to follow Allah.

Speaking to reporters after launching the state Women, Family and Health Development Secretariat, Nik Aziz said the authorities, such as scholars, should have a dialogue with the Christian clergy over the issue.

“This is so that there is no confusion among the society.

“In fact, Islamic philosophy itself can be spread through such events,” he added.

The PAS Kelantan commissioner also said he was willing to attend such events if it was organised.

However, PAS Kelantan Council of Religious Scholars chief Datuk Mohammad Daud Iraqi declined to comment on the issue.

Instead, he said it was weaknesses in the government in monitoring the issue that has led to the controversy.

“This is not a new issue, it has gone on so long. The government should have looked specifically into the laws earlier on,” he added.