Monday, July 9, 2007

Anwar: Respect Revathi's decision

From Malaysiakini today. Anwar earlier on when commenting on Lina Joy's controversial court judgement said that the judgement was correct in that "apostates" would have to go to the Syariah court and follow procedures. Somebody said that this is akin to "not potong queue". Well, Revathi has gone to the Melaka Syariah court on her own volition to precisely get an "approval" that she is renouncing Islam and she wants to remain a Hindu. Yet, after 180 harrowing days of being incarcerated at the Ulu Yam Rehabilitation Center, she has been told that she would not be allowed to leave Islam. Despite her insistence that nothing will change her mind, the Syariah lawyer representing the Melaka religious department insists they will be able to change her mind. Well, enough is enough. Procedures have been followed, the said person has stated in no uncertain terms what is her stand. As what Anwar correctly states now, Revathi's decision should be respected. She should be free to profess the faith of her choice and of her own conscience!


Revathi and daughter. (Source: Malaysiakini 9 July 2007)

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Has Anwar the courage to say the same to Lina Joy? I doubt 'cos he does have B**Ls.

Chodpa said...

So true.

The poor woman and child. How can religion justify causing such suffering, when the point of religion is the transcendence of suffering?

Anonymous said...

Reevathi Masoosai has made her case absolutely and abundantly clear that Islam is NO No for her and she will be Reevathi (a Hindu)FOREVER, and not Fatimah (A Muslim).

Are the syariah satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that SHE NO LONGER WANTS TO BE A MUSLIM? Why continue to enslave her mind and cause her untold misery?

If it is the syariah's fear that allowing her (and Lina Joy) to go would open the floodgates for Malays to quit Islam, then they must examine the kind of Islam that is practised in Malaysia, the kind that makes people want to leave the religion. Having done that,then they should take measures to make Islam the kind of religion loved and respected by all, such that even if you leave the floodgates open, not only would present Muslims leave, but would-be Muslims join the religion! Perhaps it is still not to late for the authorities to relook the way how they are projecting Islam as it is definitely wrong. Otherwise why would people like Reevathi, Lina Joy, Subashini and countless others want to leave the religion, but are being forced to remain in it. Time for the religious authorities to do some serious soul searching to make Islam a much loved, not a much feared religion by Muslims and non-Muslims alike.

Anonymous said...

Easy to say that to Mkini. Try telling that before a Malay majority audience during your "pidatos".

Why for Lina Joy tak cakap "respect Lina's choice"?