Malaysia’s High Court on July 2 set a date to prepare the groundwork to hear arguments by Jill Ireland that she has the right to use the word “Allah” in reference to God.
On June 23, the Court of Appeal ordered the government to return to Ireland a collection of Christian recordings that contain the word Allah. The CDs were seized from her in 2008.
Ireland, 34, a Christian clerk from the state of Sarawak, also is seeking a declaration that the Malaysian constitution gives her the right to use the word, which the government has said may be used only by Malay Muslims. In its June 23 ruling, the Appeal Court referred that matter to be heard again at the High Court.
The July 2 hearing fixed Aug. 12 for case management – a judicial procedure to ensure all parties are set to go to trial.