KUALA LUMPUR - In less than 24 hours after Pas took a stand that the word "Allah" can be used by the non-Muslims, many statements by party leaders were found to be contrary to the party's stand.

After a long meeting on Monday night, Pas central political bureau endorsed the use of the word "Allah", saying that it was consistent with the Federal Constitution and Islamic principles.

Party president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang, who chaired the meeting, only warned that the word "must not be misused or abused so as not to affect the racial and religious harmony in the country".

However, a previous article in Harakah online, the Pas-owned news portal, reported that Pas spiritual adviser Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat had meant otherwise.

The article, dated March 2 last year, quoted Nik Aziz's former political secretary Anual Bakri Haron as saying that the press had misunderstood the Kelantan menteri besar's statement that it was not wrong for non-Muslims to use the word.

"Reporters have misunderstood the statement by the menteri besar because the word 'Allah' can only be used by those who accepted Islam.

"To understand the context of the statement clearly, we have to understand Surah Al-Ikhlas," said Anual.

He added that according to the surah, it was clear that the word "Allah" was only appropriate to be used by those who are pious and would not go against the 99 names of Allah.

The news portal said several newspapers had reported that Nik Aziz had said it was not wrong for the non-Muslims to use the word "Allah" to refer to God.

Pas information chief Idris Ahmad, too, wrote on his blog that Pas was disappointed with the High Court's decision to allow the Catholic weekly Herald to use the word "Allah".

In yesterday's posting, he said Pas was worried that the use of the word by the weekly could cause confusion among the Muslims, especially the newcomers (Muslim converts) and those who wanted to be close to Islam.

"The use of the word 'Allah' is regarded as compatible with Islamic society and the non-Muslims in this country recognise the word as only for the Muslims.

"This has been agreed by the Christians in the country since the olden days," he wrote.

He added that Pas hoped the government would appeal the court's ruling so that it would benefit everyone.

"(However) it must be stressed that Pas is not against the freedom of other religions to practise their teachings in this country."

"Pas has been ruling Kelantan for 20 years but it gives freedom to other religions to practise their beliefs without interference from the state authorities," he wrote.

Idris also posted a statement by Pas deputy spiritual adviser Datuk Dr Haron Din on Monday that any Muslims who supported the court's ruling might be acting against Islam.

Haron had said that to support something which was wrong in Islam could indirectly cause deviation or polytheism.

"I call upon my friends to reconsider their stand. If we support something which is against the religion, we will indirectly become the unbelievers," he said, adding that he was disappointed with some bloggers, including political leaders who were supportive of the court's ruling.

When contacted, Idris said his blog posting was put up by his secretary.

"That was an old statement. Refer to last night's party statement," he said.

When asked about Haron's stand, Idris said he did not want to comment as it was the former's view.

"You have to ask him," he said before hanging up abruptly. Haron could not be reached for his comments.

Meanwhile, the outspoken PKR Kulim Bandar Baru member of parliament Zulkifli Noordin, who has been vocal about the issue, questioned Pas' contradicting stand.

"Do they really believe the Herald is not abusing the word "Allah"? For me, that is an abuse to the name," he said, referring to Pas central political bureau's decision.

He said the party only mentioned that the word should not be abused but failed to explain further on what they meant by that.

"Do they (Pas) agree with the use by the weekly, even if it says that Allah has a son?" he questioned.