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Religious freedom does not apply to Muslims in Malaysia
by Scott Gilbreath ~ November 20th, 2008
So says Datuk Faiza Tamby Chik, a retired high court judge, speaking to an international symposium on comparative law.
Citing the case of Lina Joy’s renunciation of Islam, Faiza said the high court in its decision ruled that a Malay under Article 160(2) of the Federal Constitution remained in the Islamic faith until his or her dying days.
He also claimed that non-Muslims in Malaysia enjoy great religious freedom
He said non-Muslims in the country had wide religious freedom and that the primary limitation on non-Muslims applied to those whose beliefs and religious practices included the propagation of their faith.
Since Jesus told his followers to “make disciples of all nations”, Christians consider evangelisation an essential aspect of the faith and would regard legal impediment against converting to Christianity as a fundamental infringement of religious freedom. In fact, the case of Lina Joy proves that it is Christians, not Muslims, who suffer religious discrimination in Malaysia. The high court’s refusal to recognise her renunciation of Islam and conversion to Christianity does not change the fact that, in the eyes of God, she resolved to leave Islam and follow Jesus.
I doubt that Malaysian law places any restrictions on pro-Muslim proselytisation.
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