non muslim cannot use the word "ALLAH'.??????????

A former grand imam of the National Mosque told the Dewan Rakyat today that the word "Allah" based on the belief of Muslims, cannot be used by the non-Muslims.

Taib Azamudden Mat Taib who is Pas representative for Baling, said this was because the meaning of Allah to other religions was different from the meaning of Allah to Islam.

Taib gave this explanation after Deputy Speaker Datuk Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar and Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi asked him to explain the issue on the use of word "Allah".

Zahid, when winding up the motion of thanks for the royal address, said later that Taib's explanation was in accordance with the stance of the government, Islamic Development Department and National Fatwa Council.

Two other Pas lawmakers -- Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad (Kuala Selangor) and Khalid Samad (Shah Alam) -- however had a different opinion.

Dr Dzulkefly said questions on the use of word Allah should not arise because according to the Quran, the word Allah was also used by non-Muslims. Khalid agreed and cited a verse which says the non-Muslims acknowledge that the Earth was created by Allah.

Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing (BN-Bintulu), meanwhile, suggested the setting up of a commitee to discuss the matter to avoid misunderstanding.