How many societies in the world actively celebrate discrimination against their own? As various Muslim groups and quarters laud the decision of the Federal Court in Lina Joy v. Majlis Agama Islam Wilayah Persekutuan & Ors, the more devious implication of the majority decision is lost on many.
As a result of the aforementioned case, an extra requirement is imposed upon members of the faithful in matters relating to membership of the faith; a requirement which is not imposed upon other segments of Malaysia’s various religions. This means that non-Muslims, and therefore by implication the non-Bumiputeras, are afforded more human rights than the princes of the soil. But instead of being up in arms over this form of discrimination, conservative Muslim groups have decided to celebrate the decision as a move which protects the special status of Islam in Malaysia at the expense of a human right.
This discrimination was mentioned by His Lordship Richard Malanjum FCJ himself in his dissenting judgment:
Regulation 4… has, however, singled out Muslims for additional procedural burdens and impediments which are not connected to personal law. It requires that any registrant or person applying who is a Muslim has to state his or her religion. The requirement does not apply to non-Muslims. There is therefore a differential treatment for Muslims. Hence, in my view this tantamount(s) to unequal treatment under the law… In other words it is discriminatory and unconstitutional and should therefore be struck down.
The case of Lina Joy also signifies the growing Islamisation of the country when conservatives are willing to sacrifice their very own freedom in a bid to protect Islam as the religion with a special status in the country. It is worrying when one imagines what else they are willing to sacrifice. Yes, it is noble to protect Islam from unwanted influences, but one must realize that any idea or belief which unifies also operates by way of exclusion. Are the wishes of one woman enough to bind the whole ummah? Taking that further, are we willing to imprison Bumiputeras so as to protect its special status?
The case of Lina Joy merely sets the road upon which this nation is travelling on stone, and it has deviated so far we know not where we are.
Why should a Muslim convert to a religion who propogate the following belief:
Matthew 10:34-36
Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her motherinlaw- a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.
Matthew 10:21
Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child;
children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death.
Luke 14:26
If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and
mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters-yes, even his own life- he cannot be my disciple.
Luke 49:53
I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were
already kindled! But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is completed! Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three. They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”
Jane, this is called metaphor writing, unlike muslim who take the Koran word for word, example, if u steal, i will chop your hand off, christianity takes bible stories with a deeper meaning to it. Example: Luke 14:26 means in order to be closer to GOD, you must leave everything, even loving your own life.
Christian knows the bible is not to be interpreted word by word, so pls check your facts before you spread rumours here.
BTW, muslims who helps other muslims to leave their religion is punishable by death, right? So, do you think Lina Joy ever had a chance?
Islam is a very simple and easy religion… very straight forward. Muslims belive The Quran is the FINAL words of GOD. The Quran and the hadith give clear guidance to mankind. Therefore, it is easy to understand and will not misguide the belivers.
With the Quran, Unlike the Bible there are no new testiment or old testiment and countless revisions by the various churches. The Quran has stayed exactly as it is since it’s revelation 1400 years ago.
If you steal, YES you MIGHT get you hands chopped off BUT there are clear and strict guidelines to follow before an offender’s parts go off to chop chop land! Islamic Law is not as black and white or without moral obligations and compassion as someone as uninformed will claim.
In Malaysia Article 11 of the Constitution permits the Freedom to practice ones religion of choice BUT Muslims are subject to the Syariah Law. As such Lina Joy, born a Muslim is bound by Islamic Law.
Should she choose to renounce Islam she should approach the Islamic Religious Council and file her papers. Non-Muslims who wish to convert to Islam in Malaysia follow the same procedure too. NO she would not be condemned to death just yet though renouncing Islam is punishable by death which even Salman Rushdie got away with! (in this live anyway!)
The Quran says there is NO COMPULSION in religion. If Lina Joy trully believes her renouncaciation of Islam is true and just then like any other person who believes in their struggle she should make her battle and face her critics instead of hiding away and spreading untruth about Islam.
Islam is a very simple and easy religion… very straight forward. Muslims belive The Quran is the FINAL words of GOD. The Quran and the hadith give clear guidance to mankind. Therefore, it is easy to understand and will not misguide the belivers.
With the Quran, Unlike the Bible there are no new testiment or old testiment and countless revisions by the various churches. The Quran has stayed exactly as it is since it’s revelation 1400 years ago.
If you steal, YES you MIGHT get you hands chopped off BUT there are clear and strict guidelines to follow before an offender’s parts go off to chop chop land! Islamic Law is not as black and white or without moral obligations and compassion as someone as uninformed will claim.
In Malaysia Article 11 of the Constitution permits the Freedom to practice ones religion of choice BUT Muslims are subject to the Syariah Law. As such Lina Joy, born a Muslim is bound by Islamic Law.
Should she choose to renounce Islam she should approach the Islamic Religious Council and file her papers. Non-Muslims who wish to convert to Islam in Malaysia follow the same procedure too. NO she would not be condemned to death just yet though renouncing Islam is punishable by death which even Salman Rushdie got away with! (in this life anyway!)
The Quran says there is NO COMPULSION in religion. If Lina Joy trully believes her renouncaciation of Islam is true and just then like any other person who believes in their struggle she should make her battle and face her critics instead of hiding away and spreading untruth about Islam.
Fellow countrymen,
The advantages and disadvantages, the merits and demerits, the traits and characteristics, of Islam or any other religion for that matter should not be used to further our own interests or agenda. Delving deeper, it is highly irresponsible, and not to mention irrelevant, to present specific religious issues as a means to justify our stand on the matter. Though Lina Joy, on the surface, is a matter of religion, it is however not a matter of religious knowledge, scripture or dogma.
Let’s keep it relevant, and if this is done, we all can arrive at a true and just conclusion sooner.