Something To Be Pondered Upon

This is something I wanna share with my dear readers. This is my comment to Kata Tak Nak's blog post on Apostasy in Islam. I have added some things in here that is missing from the comment. What is written in there might offend some people but some people will agree with me. That is the part and parcel of life today which I have resigned myself to live with. There is a touch about Lina Joy's case in here. I think it is wise to learn from what has already happened. Read it up and do give me some feedbacks about the topic.

Love,
Spring Fairy

Hi, Kata Tak Nak…

I’m just an observer of this post and some of your reader’s comments caught my attention. As no one actually pointed out these, please allow me to do so. I’m not here to give theological debate but I am going to point things out with common sense. My Muslim friends told me this before, “God gave us a brain to think, to be able to judge the good and the bad in this world.” So, why don’t we analyst these comments with openness and common sense, okay???

Syabas this is the best commentary that I have read so far on the Lina Joy issue. I am surprised that the non-Muslims and even some muslim commentators have said that the decision of the court is wrong and there is no justice. This is a clear constitutional issue, the JPN have no right to determine a person's faith, if someone wants to leave Islam he or she must go to the Syariah courts. So why have not Lina Joy followed procedures? Lina Joy has become too arrogant to want to challenge the constitution and wants to openly declare that she is christian. If she is sincere she should have followed procedure and approached the Syariah court to accept her Murtad. Instead she opted for seven years of court battle in the civil court. We should also not forget to thank Allahyarham Tan Sri Prof Ahmad Ibrahim who through his efforts in the 90s have made the Syariah court strong and at par with the civil courts. Al-fatehah to him and may Allah reward him for what he has done for Islamic law in this country. Anyway too much have been said, commented and reported about Lina Joy. Let's stop giving her and christianity any more publicity. That is what the enemies of Islam wants. Instead we should all try to strengthen our iman and educate the people around us - our brothers, sisters, children etc, so that there will not be another Lina Joy. Insha Allah. Ameen.

- Mr. X (01 June 2007 21:17)-

Mr. X,

I’m not here to be biased or whatever you might think (sorry if I’m defensive but I need to make myself VERY clear that I am not here for a fight) You said too much has been said, commented and reported about the Lina Joy case; and wish to stop giving her and Christianity anymore publicity because you alleged that it is what the enemies of Islam wants. However, ARE you sure whether or not that is what the enemies want??

What do you mean that she didn't follow procedures??? She did follow the procedures! If you have forgotten, she has lawyers to advise her on such matter. This is not a trifling matter that we are talking about here that her lawyers would omit to tell her about the most important of things to do. She has already been declared a murtad the first time. This time her application is only to have the word "Islam" dropped from her Identification Card. So, if she is already a murtad, then why not drop it ?? Also, as she is already considered a murtad, she is no longer obliged to obey the Syariah Court, which is the Court for anything Muslim. Isn't she already a murtad so why to the Syariah Court? It is the civil court that should make this decision instead of pushing it to the Syariah Court. Don't you think so???

I would like to point out that by having people to comment and report about the Lina Joy case, it is a good and constructive way for people to voice their opinions about the Constitutional Law that we have been using for the past 50:44 years since our Independence, as we never got a chance to actually sit down and think about the current Constitutional Law that we have been using for the past 50:44 years. I’m not spreading propaganda here but my honest opinion about it. Why 50:44?? 50 years for the Peninsular and 44 years for Sabah and Sarawak. I want to ask you also, do you think Lina Joy and the Christian community wish to be in the public spotlight in the first place??? They are peace-loving people too and will only rise to the occasion if they are challenged. By chance, you comment can spark that because you have indirectly called them enemies of Islam and ARE THEY??? Look at your comment carefully and put yourself into another person’s shoe. We want to maintain a society that is sensitive to another’s religion; therefore, that is not a correct conduct. Instead of trying to strengthen your Iman which will be for your own benefit, why don’t YOU give them a more proper understanding of Islam to the people? You can’t avoid another Lina Joy case unless you can do that.

very politic of lina joy

first she committed murtad and escaped punishments

second, she dares enough to chellange the authority that guards the souverignity of islam

third counts, she manipulated sympathy on the ground of human right and made islam looked bad and rigid

in the actual fact, we all know that lina is liable for punishments for all the wrongdoings and kurangajarness she committed.

- ahm(01 June 2007 23:07)-

Ahm,

What do YOU mean that it is very politic of Lina Joy that she committed murtad and escaped punishment?? I don’t see any political connections between wanting to convert. Also, punishment for wanting to convert?! Don’t you think that is too much?? To convert is one thing but to punish a person for converting IS against the grounds of Human Rights because it is stated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) in article 18; where by

Everyone has the RIGHT to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, which includes freedom to change his/her religion of belief, and freedom, either alone or in a community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.

If you want to punish someone for converting, you would have already committed a crime in the PEOPLES eyes and in God’s eyes! Why am I bringing in God? This is because you and I believe that God is a loving God who loves all His Children and I don’t think God would want us to hurt each other. Your accusation that she made Islam look bad and rigid.. Well.. I beg to differ because the talks of wanting to punish her and all IS the main contributing factor on WHY Islam is looked upon with a bad light and is considered rigid by people. So, instead of accusing her of making Islam look bad, don’t you think you should reflect on it yourself first? Therefore, in actual fact, Lina is NOT to be held liable for punishments for the “wrongdoings” and “kurangajarness” you alleged she committed instead it is the PEOPLE who judge people based on their actions whichL goes against the norm; who are supposed to be held liable. Don’t you think so??

Dear anonymous.

Having said that, the post-marital problems of marrying someone who is not of your own religion, as you have stated, might in the future cause hassles that are related to custody, burial, and even school registration for her future children.

First of all, looking at the situation in Malaysia, she must have been utterly naive by thinking that challenging a matter of her religion status would be fruitful. When you are going against the flow, do you expect the current of the flow to be reversed to make things easy for you to get through? You should know better not to. The problems that might arise are predictable, but to expect something like that to be allowed freely in this country where the majority of citizens are Muslims who, clearly, from the start, would not have allowed her to be recognized as a Christian Malay, what made she think it could happen?

She knew the outcome right from the start. People have died to fight for what they believe in. And out there, there are Muslims who have been discriminated against just to practice what they believe in. As example, in France, 'tudung' is not allowed to be worn in public school by Muslim girls. But, is it the smartest thing to do to bring the matter to court so that you can practice what you believe in easily? And would a set of rules restrict you?

A true Islam believer would still wear the Tudung, and be ready to face the consequences. If a girl decides to wear the 'tudung' despite the rules, she would be thrown out of school. But the question is, would that be a hindrance for her to be educated? The answer is no. That's what alternatives are for. Despite anything, you believe in what you believe in. Why did she limit her imagination by thinking of only the hardships and why would that hinder her?

Don’t speak of rights and justice if you don’t have the gall to face hardships. If you have the audacity to face the court, you should have the audacity to face the fact that you’ve failed. You choose to go against the flow, then don’t expect the flow to go your direction. And furthermore, the Syariah law is only liable to Muslims. After this case, all she has to do is show her IC to any Pegawai Pencegah Maksiat and would you think that knowing she is ‘Norazlina Jelani’ who has converted to Christian and make that public; she would still be prosecuted for ‘khalwat’?

Then you’re just being afraid of nonexistent things. Islam is understanding and is not as narrow as the non-muslims would make it.

Thanks for giving me the chance to make my say.

-Chocobo (03 June 2007 13:55)-

Chocobo,

When you said that she was afraid of nonexistent things; do you think she, being already made aware that her struggles will be a tough one, not be afraid? There are a lot of things to be put into thoughts. I.e. her family, her friends and all will shun her for her daring act. Did she falter?? No! So, instead of condemning her, she should be praised because she is doing something she believes is right in her context. As to the understanding of Islam by the non-Muslims, we all know that Islam is an understanding religion and we are not narrow as you make it. We all grew up in Malaysia, my friend, with friends from all the races and religions. Don’t you think we would have perfect understanding of Islam by now?? Not forgetting also that we have the Education System (History) to learn about Islam?? It may be a basic one but it is enough to know that Islam is an understanding religion. If you think that people’s understanding is wrong, then instead of sitting down and commenting about it, maybe you can reach out to people so that they will have a proper understanding. Why not, I am thinking…While you think about that, I wish to return to your example about the usage of the '"tudung" or veil in France. When the ban came about, what do you think have CAUSED it??? It came into action in 2002. What do YOU think HAPPENED the year before?? If I may remind you, September 11 happened in New York. The act of terrorism by who??? ISLAMIC EXTREMIST.. Now, I am NOT calling you or any Muslim that so, please don't pin me with it. I am stating a mere fact and it was taken from Wikipedia. The veil was banned in France was not because it was an act of racism but it was for national security. If you put your shoes into the teachers there, don't you think you would do the same thing??? The people there are not being racist but rather they are concerned for their safety and their loved ones.

You are sooo right in what you say chocobo! Saya dah rasa tak tahan bila orang bukan Islam sewenang-wenangnya mencaci-maki agama Islam. Bukan kebebasan beragama yang dicari oleh Lina Joy dan kumpulan penyokongnya-ada niat busuk disebaliknya. Orang-orang Islam mesti sedar,jangan ikut emosi nak bunuh sana-sini,Islam adalah rahmatan lil-alamin,ajaranya bukanlah untuk mementingkan(ego) diri sendiri,golongan sendiri,ajarannya adalah untuk mencurahkan kasih-sayang,keselamatan dan kedamaian kepada seisi alam semesta.Lina Joy sudah pun murtad dan ramai yang mempergunakan dia untuk kepentingan dan agenda yang lebih besar.Mereka cuba mencabar Islam sebenarnya dan sejak zaman rasulullah s.a.w. lagi perkara begini telah berlaku.

- safia tajul alam (13 June 2007 23:38)-

Safia,

This is one fact you have to accept whether you like it or not, that THERE will always be people looking at another religion in a bad light. It’s a sad fact that we cannot avoid. I have to point out that is VERY bad conduct to speculate that what Lina Joy and her supporters have bad intentions when all they say is, let her change the religion that is stated in her Identification Card. It is good that you are saying not to simply kill but speculating that her group has another agenda is not nice because you will sow seeds that might cause mistrust among the religion. They are not challenging Islam actually but simply saying, “Let her change her identity.” As simple as that because it is NOT her identity as she is no longer a Muslim. So, why let the Islam be left in her Identification Card??? Do I make sense to you?? I hope I do because the Non- Muslims are not taking sides with anyone based on religion but we see things based on logical reasoning. You said there that Islam is to bring love, security and peace to the whole world but by speculating, are you helping to bring peace to the world or sowing seeds of distend among the people of Malaysia???

Kata Tak Nak, Safia, Chocobo, Ahm and Mr. X,

I don’t mean to sound preachy or whatever but these is my 2 cents worth. If you disagree with my points, which you have every right to, please feel free to voice your opinion. However, I would hope that next time if there are comments to be made, the religious believes of the other readers should be taken care of. It’s a 2 way thing. You respect other people’s religion, we will respect yours back. I know you guys are wise enough to know that because I believe you all to be VERY, VERY, VERY much older than me and therefore should be the shining example to the youngsters today. So, why don't we work to make that happen instead of squabbling on who is right and who is wrong. Don't you think so??

Let's spread peace and harmony among one another instead of causing havoc. Love is what makes the world go round, in my opinion. If you beg to differ, then it is your opinion which I have no say unless it goes beyond logical reasoning.