Freedom Of Choice

Father Lord, thank you for the opening of doors that we can see slowly now... thank you for releasing men and women to speak of their rights of religions in Malaysia.

We have the case of Kamariah Ali, Mad Yaacob Ismail, Daud Mamat and Mohamed Ya from Kelantan who are fighting for their rights to what they want to worship according to the Article 11: Every person has the right to profess and practice his religion and Article 18: Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance. Their case are still pending right now.

We also have this case where a Hindu man converted to Islam and then converted his children to Islam without his Hindu wife's consent and this case was brought up to High Court.

A malay wrote in The Edge Magazine about 'My Religion' - questioning why only Muslims does not have the right to convert into other religions.

Recently our Prime Minister attended an international gathering of Christian leaders, tears shed at the enormity of the task that lies ahead when it comes to forstering true peace and brotherhood. Our PM said he is a leader for all religions, not only for Muslim.

Anwar, a staunch Muslim was interviewed in Munich, Germany said, "What I want to do in Malaysia transcends partisan politics. I'm talking about a new Malaysia that is multi-racial, multi-religious, with a specific political agenda".

Yesterday in our prayer meeting, we prayed for God's guidance on 3 judges of the Court of Appeal - Sri Ram, Datuk Abdul Aziz Mohamed and Datuk Arifin Zakaria, who will be hearing a landmark case on Oct 14 the appeal by a woman who is seeking a declaration that she is free to practice the religion of her choice as enshrined in the Federal Constitution. Lina Joy, or her original name Azlina Jailani, is appealing against the High Court decision which rejected her application to drop the word "Islam" in her identity card. She became a Christian in 1998.

It is sad if Christianity is only for non-Muslims because God cares for the malays too... they are God's precious child too... Why should they be exempted in knowing Jesus Christ, having relationship with God, freely worshipping the Most High God?