As part of the process being followed by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) in approving numerous new generic top level domains (gTLD), ICANN receives advice from its Governmental Advisory Committee (GAC). As
previously reported, the governments of several Islamic countries have raised concern about gTLDs that have religious connotations. An April 11 communique from GAC (
full text) reflects some of these concerns:
The GAC recognizes that Religious terms are sensitive issues. Some GAC members have raised sensitivities on the applications that relate to Islamic terms, specifically .islam and .halal. The GAC members concerned have noted that the applicataions for .islam and .halal lack community involvement and support. It is the view of these GAC members that these applications should not proceed.
Earlier this week,
The Domains reported that now the 5 largest organizations that certify food as kosher have written a joint letter to ICANN complaining
that the GAC, and ICANN in response, rightly raised concerns about the .halal gTLD application without raising those same concerns about the .kosher application....
The .kosher gTLD application raises the same religious sensitivities referenced in the GAC Beijing Communiqué related to the .halal gTLD application.
Therefore, it is appropriate for ICANN to provide equal treatment of the .halal and .kosher gTLD applications by denying both applications.
The application for the .kosher gTLD indicates that it is designed to promote a competing kosher certification agency that is not part of the big 5-- OK Kosher Certification-- and its clients.
