Malaysian Christian Woman Fights Govt Over 'Allah'
- By The Christian Messenger
- Published 01/14/2010
The Christian Messenger
The Christian Messenger - Evangelism Through Journalism. The Christian Messenger is an evangelical monthly newspaper published from Chennai, India. Started in 2002 as a privately circulated periodical, its initial print run was 2,500 copies. A year later, it became a registered newspaper. Currently, the print order is 15,000 copies. It is perhaps the only Christian newspaper that spans the length and breadth of the country. The founders of the newspaper have a vision to make it India’s leading Christian daily.What we do: Good news, first! That's our burden. Good news is not just the Gospel but also the positive side of Christian living. But that doesn't mean we don't report bad news. Persecution, end-times watch, falling idols and Biblical prophecies that come true are part of our reportage. We are dependent on God and independent of any denomination, groups or organizations. Neither do we let advertisers influence news coverage nor do we print puffed up handouts. We are fair, neutral and non-judgmental. Because we believe in a God who tells the truth and expects us to be like Him. Why a Christian newspaper? At the heart of our media mission is this motto: Evangelism through journalism. The purpose of this newspaper is to report newsworthy religious events and activities within the local community, nationwide and around the world, to increase the awareness and activism of believers regarding the moral issues of today, to provide thought-provoking commentary, and to provide an effective advertising vehicle for Christian ministries and organizations, events and businesses that want to reach the Christian community in India and abroad. If you think you can support us or partner with us in this mission, do send us a mail today: editor@christianmessenger.in
Deputy Registrar Nik Mohd Fadli Nik Azlan fixed the date of hearing thus setting the stage for another court battle over the word ‘Allah.’
The Muslim-majority country has been in the throes of a raging debate over the word since the High Court ruled on December 31 that the Catholic weekly The Herald’s Bahasa Malaysia edition had a constitutional right to use the word ‘Allah’ in its Christian sense.
The court ruling sparked protests from Muslim groups and has been linked to a series of firebombing and arson attacks against at least eight churches.
The applicant has claimed that the compact discs which were confiscated was for her own personal use.
The confiscated publications were in audio visual form and had the words ‘Allah’ printed on them. The applicant, identified as Jill Ireland Lawrence Bill, 27, is a Sarawakian native of the Christian faith.
Ireland was granted leave on May 4 last year to initiate the judicial review proceedings against the ministry and the government, as respondents. She wants a court order to quash the ministry’s decision to confiscate the CDs, and an order to direct the ministry to return the CDs to her and a declaration that she has the legitimate expectation to exercise her right to possess, use and import publications containing the word ‘Allah.’
The ministry had seized the CDs in May last year when Ireland, a clerk, disembarked at the Low Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT) in Sepang. The CDs were brought in from Indonesia.
Ireland claimed that she used the word ‘Allah’ in her prayers, worship and religious education.
The Christian Messenger
