Chronology of Allah Controversy

By hardiyantidhini

  • Home Ministry threatened The Herald

    The Herald, a Catholic weekly magazine used the word 'Allah' to describe God and the Home Ministry in Malaysia erupted in anger.

  • The Herald Wins Case

    The Herald won the case against the Home Minister. Kuala Lumpur High Court Judge decided that the use of the word 'Allah' should not be prohibited to other religions, for the word is not exclusive.

  • Various Churches Were Attacked

    Churches were attacked at different areas, including in Selangor, Sarawak, Klang, Malacca, Johor, and Negeri Sembilan. This lasted from the 8th of January to the 13th.

  • 5000 Bibles Detained

    5000 Bibles were taken in custody in Kuching Port, although a total of 30,000 Bibles had been confiscated since January 2011.

  • Malaysia as a Christian State

    There are rumours heard by Utusan Malaysia that some Christian groups are planning on turrning Malaysia into a Christian State.

  • Christmas Message from Lim Guan Eng

    Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng suggested the federal government to lift its ban of the word 'Allah', which was published in Malay language Bibles.

  • Non-Muslims not to use 'Allah'

    The Sultan of the Selangor state officially ordered that the word 'Allah' was exclusive and designated for Muslims' use only.

  • Date for Case Management

    Court of Appeal fixes a date for a case management, so that the Home Ministry is allowed to respond to the statement filed by the church. This is still in regards to the uproar about the Catholic weekly The Herald

  • Day of Appeal

    Day of case management for the government's appeal.

  • Kedah bans the use of word 'Allah'

    Kedah state government decided to ban the word 'Allah' in non-Muslim holy books.

  • Catholics Banned from Using ´Allah'

    Court of Appeal bench ruled that the word 'Allah' was not an integral part of the Christian faith and that continuing using the word would cause confusion among them and the Islam Community.

  • Editor of Herald Contests Ruling

    Father Lawrence Andrew, editor of The Herald, said that the Court of Appeal's decision contradicts their previous ruling. He said that in 2011, the use of the word 'Allah' was allowed in Bibles translated to Bahasa Malaysia, but they are challenging the use of the same word in the Herald.

  • Ban Only Applies to The Herald

    Deputy Home Minister said that the ban of the word 'Allah' only applies for The Herald and not Biblical translations or to any other Christian publication.

  • Survey Poll by Malaysians

    A survey poll conducted by UMCEDEL (University Malaya's Centre for Democracy and Elections) showed 77% Malays agreed that the 'Allah' should not be used by non-Muslims. Only 11% agrees otherwise.

  • Father Lawrence Investigated

    Selangor police investigates The Herald Editor, Father Lawrence Andrew, for his statement last December 27 about how the churches in Selangor will still continue to use the word 'Allah'. He believes it should not be problematic since the use of the word by Christians dates back all the way to 1905 and there was not a problem then. No charges had been brought upon him.