Malaysia: Govt to appeal against Allah ruling

Malaysia’s government said it will appeal against a court ruling that Christians have the constitutional right to use the word Allah to refer to God.

The High Court’s recent verdict sparked small, peaceful protests by several Muslim groups.

It also raised fears of friction between the ethnic Malay Muslim majority and large ethnic Chinese and Indian minorities, who mainly follow Christianity, Buddhism and Hinduism.

Jamil Khir Baharom, a Cabinet minister responsible for Islamic affairs, urged Muslims in a statement to remain calm and to respect the court’s decision for now.

Mr Jamil said the Prime Minister’s Department will appeal against the verdict.