Objections to .HALAL and .ISLAM Top Level Domains Rejected

As previously reported, in June 2012 the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) published a list of proposed new generic Top-Level Domain (gTLD) names for which various applicants are seeking approval. Some of the proposed new Internet addresses carry religious connotations. ICANN has in place a complicated process for objecting to a proposed gTLD.  One basis for objection is "substantial opposition to the gTLD ... from a significant portion of the community that the gTLD string targets." On October 24, two separate opinions were handed down by the International Center of Expertise of the International Chamber of Commerce, the organization designated to adjudicate community objections.  The decisions upheld the proposed .HALAL top level domain (CASE No. EXP/427/ICANN/44, full text of opinion), and the proposed .ISLAM top level domain (CASE No. EXP/430/ICANN/47, full text of opinion). In both cases the objector was the United Arab Emirates Telecommunications Regulatory Authority and the applicant for the gTLD was a Turkish company.