Malaysian top court's landmark ruling upheld a controversial ban that prohibits Christians from using the word "Allah" to refer to God, the BBC reported Monday.
The "Allah" ban was originally implemented in 2007 after the Catholic Church's Malay-language newspaper used it to refer to God. The Church challenged the ban, arguing the Muslim-majority nation trampled upon its rights and that it has used "Allah" for centuries.
But the top Federal Court allowed the ban to stay, agreeing with authorities who say lifting it would lead to confusion between the two religions.
"It's a blanket ban. Non-Muslims cannot use the word," S Selvarajah, a lawyer for the Church who plans on appealing the ban, told AFP.
Christians in Malaysia, about 2.6 million in a nation of 28 million, argue that for centuries they have used Allah to refer to God in the Malay-language, The Guardian reported. Other religions also use Allah in their Malay-literature.
A court ruled in favor of the Church newspaper The Herald in 2009, a decision that sparked outrage and led to attacks on both churches and mosques. The ban was later reinstated by the Court of Appeal.
Malaysian authorities say allowing other religions to use the Arabic word for God leads to confusion and causes Muslims to convert, which is against the law. A panel of seven judges at the administrative capital in Putrajaya agreed with the appellate court.
"It [the Court of Appeal] applied the correct test, and it is not open for us to interfere," Chief Justice Arifin Zakaria said according to The Guardian.
Muslim activists expressed gratitude for the court's ruling as they gathered outside the courthouse.
"I'm very pleased and happy that we have won the case. I hope the issue will be put to rest," Ibrahim Ali, head of the Muslim rights group Perkasa, told the newspaper. "We must defend 'Allah' because this is our religious obligation. I hope other communities, including Christians, understand this."
The Church plans on further challenging the ban despite the top court's ruling, according to the BBC.
