The request of a couple in Georgia in United States to have their toddler daughter bears ‘Allah’ as her surname despite the fact that neither parent has the name, has been granted.
Reuters report that ZalyKha Graceful Lorraina Allah, was born in Atlanta to parents, Elizabeth Handy and Bilal Walk, about two years ago. However, her parents waited about a year before seeking a birth certificate for her.
The report said they had no difficulties obtaining birth certificates for their older children, ages 3 and 17, who also have the surname “Allah.”
However, a clerk for the Georgia Department of Health blocked the request for the youngest child.
It said the American Civil Liberties Union filed suit in state court against the leaders of the state department of health and the state office of vital records to compel them to allow the surname chosen by the parents.
It added that on Thursday that the Georgia officials granted the couple’s request and issued the toddler a birth certificate with the surname “Allah”.
“While many people have names that are derivations of Allah, such as Abdullah, which means servant of God, using Allah as a stand-alone surname was not culturally acceptable.
“You would never use just Allah. That would be considered very inappropriate,” Nihad Awad, national director for the Council on American-Islamic Relations was quoted as saying by Reuters.
