Atlanta: The state of georgia refused to issue a birth certificate for Elizabeth Handy and Bilal Walk's 22-month-old daughter. The reason — the couple’s choice of name for their daughter: Allah. The state officials argue that the child's name — ZalyKha Graceful Lorraina Allah — does not fit the naming conventions set up by the state law. According to therecord.com the authorities say ZalyKha’s last name should either be Handy, Walk or a combination of the two.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), on behalf of the family, has filed a petition to force the state of Georgia to issue a birth certificate for the baby girl who was born in 2015. The parents said they gave her the name because it was “noble,” and it has nothing to do with religion. The infant’s parents fear their child won't be able to get a Social Security number because they don't have a birth certificate. They also anticipate problems with access to health care, schools and travel, therecord.com reported.
The ACLU told FOX 5 News that while the baby girl’s older brothers both have last names “Allah”, the Georgia Department of Public Health has rejected the parents’ most recent application with their baby girl. The ACLU quoted a portion of Georgia’s code which states that “the surname of the child shall be entered as designated by both parents.” In a statement issued by the ACLU, it read “government has no business telling parents what they can and cannot name their children.” The couple have been dealing with the state on the issue for at least two years.
