Freedom of choice?
In Malaysiakini,
Apostacy,meaning total desertion or departure from one's faith, principles, or party. In the United States, the 1st Amendment of the Bill of Rights, the exercise of freedom of religion is preserved. In Malaysia, the freedom of religion has been promised but it appears only to the minority few. The vast majority of the population, the Malays, are bound since birth to a religion for which they are forbidden to leave. Any attempt at such will be met with scorn and ridicule. The situation will be no different in other Islamic countries for example Iran or Saudi Arabia. So the question is, are the arguments by the four individuals that they had absolute right and freedom to practise the religion of their choice valid? How are they different from Malaysians of other races? Can Malays in Malaysia ever practice other religions? Why are they bound by a law that stifles a basic human right?
This blog seeks not to chastise these actions but rather to improve my understanding of the intertwined complexities of both the religion and the civil law.
| Federal Court rejects appeal in apostasy case
Jul 21, 04 10:12am The Federal Court this morning dismissed an appeal by four individuals who had renounced Islam for a declaration that they have absolute right and freedom to practise the religion of their choice. |
Apostacy,meaning total desertion or departure from one's faith, principles, or party. In the United States, the 1st Amendment of the Bill of Rights, the exercise of freedom of religion is preserved. In Malaysia, the freedom of religion has been promised but it appears only to the minority few. The vast majority of the population, the Malays, are bound since birth to a religion for which they are forbidden to leave. Any attempt at such will be met with scorn and ridicule. The situation will be no different in other Islamic countries for example Iran or Saudi Arabia. So the question is, are the arguments by the four individuals that they had absolute right and freedom to practise the religion of their choice valid? How are they different from Malaysians of other races? Can Malays in Malaysia ever practice other religions? Why are they bound by a law that stifles a basic human right?
This blog seeks not to chastise these actions but rather to improve my understanding of the intertwined complexities of both the religion and the civil law.
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