Timeline of the "Allah Ban"

By Bur-27

  • Translation of the Book of Genesis by M. Leijdecker. (1733)

    This is the first complete Malay Bible containing the word ‘Allah’ for God.

  • Translation of the Bible (Book of Isaiah) in Malay by H.C. Klinkert (1879)

    This is the second complete Malay Bible.

  • Translation of the New Testament in Malay by W.A.Bode. (1938)

  • Translation of the Gospel/Injil of John. (1938)

  • 4 words were prohibited from being used in Christian publications

    Circular letter was sent to all Christian publishers from the publication control division of the Kementerian Dalam Negeri. 4 words were prohibited from being used in Christian publications: Allah, Kaabah, Baitullah and Solat. The aim of this prohibition was to prevent any misunderstanding between Muslims and Christians.

  • Selangor's court stated a list of 25 words which are not to be used pertaining to a non-Islamic religion

    Selangor Enactment No. 1 of 1988 i.e. Non-Islamic Religions (Control of Propagation Amongst Muslims) Enactment, 1988 in Schedule 1 (Section 9) stated a list of 25 words which are not to be used pertaining to a non-Islamic religion. Among the words are: Allah, Firman Allah, Ibadah, Kaaba, Wahyu, Mubaligh, Rasul, Iman, Salat, Imam, and Nabi.
    Other states with similar enactments are: Terengganu (1980), Kelantan, Perlis, Kedah, Perak, Negeri Sembilan, Melaka and Johor.

  • The first letter to Herald from KDN – an admonition – not to use the word ALLAH.

  • The second letter to Herald – a show-cause letter – to be answered within 14 days.

    Subsequently through appeal and representation to the Cabinet, Herald was granted the use of the word ALLAH in its publication.

  • The third letter – a reprimand.

    Letters from the Home Ministry to the Herald.
    The fourth letter – a warning (January). The fifth letter – another warning (February).

  • The fourth letter – a warning (January).

    Letters from the Home Ministry to the Herald.

  • The fifth letter – another warning (February).

    Letters from the Home Ministry to the Herald.

  • The sixth letter to Herald – a show-cause letter.

    The Herald files a Writ of Summons and Statement of Claim on 5th Dec 2007

  • Herald won the case against the power of the Home Minister to set conditions on the use of the word “Allah” in the Herald publication.

    Judgment handed down on 31st Dec 2009. Government to appeal the High Court decision.

  • Cabinet issued a 10-point solution

  • The Sultan of the Malaysian State of Selangor, Sharafuddin Idris Shah, decreed that all non-Muslims in the state are banned from using the word ‘Allah’ as this is exclusive to Muslims.

  • A court in Malaysia ruled that the word Allah can't be used by the nation's Christians.

  • Raid on the Bible Society of Malaysia by the Selangor Islamic Affairs Department (Jais)