The Malaysian government has reversed its decision to ban a Catholic newspaper for using the word "Allah," officials said Monday, easing a row that could strain racial harmony in the multiethnic country.
In a surprising about-turn over the weekend, the government renewed The Herald weekly's 2008 permit without any conditions, said its editor Rev. Lawrence Andrew. "There are no conditions, there was no mention of the Allah ban," he told The Associated Press.
Internal security officials declined to comment when contacted. The ministry had repeatedly warned The Herald that its printing permit may be revoked if it continued to use "Allah" as a synonym for God in its Malay-language section. After the Herald refused, it was told in early December that its Malay-language section would be banned from January. |