Renunciation of Islam

World

Almost all major news agency worldwide are reporting on one of the highly debated issues in Malaysia. The renunciation of Islam by a Malay-born Azlina Jailani, famously known as Lina Joy, and her attempt in withdrawing the word ISLAM from her ID Card. Here are some links from Forbes, The Australian, AsiaNews.it & Chicago Sun-Times to name a few.

Not to forget, our local (Malaysian) online news reports by The Star, Harakah, Utusan, Berita Harian & NST.

Those news are out-of-date anyway, but my point is that this issue is widely known which made journalists runnning around working round-the-clock unless they get updated news wired to them.

Constitution

Federal Constitution on the status of Malay
Article 160
(2) "Malay" means a person who professes the religion of Islam, habitually speaks the Malay language, conforms to Malay custom and -
(a) was before the Merdeka Day born in the Federation or in Singapore or born of parents one of whom was born in the Federation or in Singapore, or was on that day domiciled in the Federation or in Singapore;
or
(b) is the issue of such a person

Article 11
(1) Every person has the right to profess and practice his religion and, subject to Clause (4), to propagate it.
(2) No person shall be compelled to pay any tax the proceeds of which are specially allocated in whole or in part for the purposes of a religion other than his own.
(3) Every religious group has the right -
(a) to manage its own religious affairs;
(b) to establish and maintain institutions for religious or charitable purposes; and
(c) to acquire and own property and hold and administer it in accordance with law.

(4) State law and in respect of the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur and Lubuan, federal law may control or restrict the propagation of any religious doctrine or belief among persons professing the religion of Islam.
(5) This Article does not authorize any act contrary to any general law relating to public order, public health or morality.

Article 121
(1A) The courts referred to in Clause (1) shall have no jurisdiction in respect of any matter within the jurisdiction of the Syariah courts.
Result

Lina Joy's appeal didn't go through. Check out the major headlines tomorrow for further details.

Feelings

I believe that this is the era where Malaysians are desperate in having a just legal system, social stability, mutual understanding between faith groups, religious education, inculcating good moral values and corporating a harmonious society between the Muslims, Christians, Buddhists as well as the Malays, Indians and Chinese. (not to forget the 'dan lain-lain' as well).

This is an era of education.

I believe that the best solution for the values mentioned above is to adhere the teachings of Islam.