Following the government’s decision to withdraw its appeal against the High Court ruling, Azalina, who is also the law and institutional reform minister, said the issue must be handled with care as it involved religious sensitivities.

She said Umno ministers will raise the matter when the Cabinet meets tomorrow.

“A comprehensive solution needs to be discussed and achieved, including a strong legal approach,” she said in a statement.

“Umno will continue to defend Islam as the official religion of the federation while respecting the principle of freedom of religion, which is enshrined in the Federal Constitution.”

The High Court, in a landmark decision on March 10, 2021, ruled that Sarawakian Jill Ireland could use the word “Allah” for the purpose of religious education in Bahasa Malaysia and her native Melanau language.

Then High Court judge Nor Bee Ariffin said a Dec 5, 1986 home ministry directive to prohibit the use of the words “Allah”, “Baitullah”, “Solat” and “Kaabah” by non-Muslims was illegal and unconstitutional.

She said Ireland had the constitutional right to use and import any publication for her religious education.

While the government had appealed the decision, it decided to withdraw the appeal yesterday.

Earlier today, home minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the ministry would review the administrative order it issued in 1986 on the use of the word “Allah”, among others, by non-Muslims.

Separately, Wanita Umno chief Noraini Ahmad said she hoped that the federal government would review its decision to withdraw its appeal against the High Court ruling.

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