Mujahid Yusof Rawa's attempt to cloud the issue of freedom of religion by attempting to label it as an exclusively occidental cultural construct falls flat on its face in light of two irrefutable facts.

Firstly, and of utmost primacy, Allah guarantees freedom of religion for all in verse 2:256 of the Quran (Yusuf Ali translation): 'Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from Error: whoever rejects evil and believes in Allah hath grasped the most trustworthy hand-hold, that never breaks. And Allah heareth and knoweth all things.'

I reproduce the verse in full because much to the disappointment of some, there exists no caveat in this verse.

Secondly, in accordance with the above Quranic injuction, Article 11 (1) of the Malaysian Federal Constitution clearly provides Malaysians, irrespective of creed or ethnicity, the right to freedom of religion. The interests of Muslims was represented as a Muslim legal expert, Justice Hamid of Pakistan, was involved in the crafting of our Federal Constitution.

Given that Malaysia is a secular state (please refer to Haris Mohd Ibrahim's letter for a primer), the government has absolutely no business meddling with the religious beliefs of any Malaysian.

Today, however, this is not the case. None would know this better than the four Ayah Pin followers whose attempt to formally be recognised as apostates ended in failure . It is worth noting that two of them were religious teachers (ustaz and ustazah) and are alumni of the prestigious Al Azhar University of Cairo. Clearly not people unfamiliar with the teachings of Islam.

The situation resulting from their well-publicised case is so illogical that it would be laughable were it not for the severe implications. The Malaysian government does not officially recognise an apostate, effectively condemning self-confessed apostates to a lifetime of being slapped with Syariah offences 'ad nauseum'.

Thanks to our less than fearless judges, apostates can continue to look forward to a lifetime of persecution by religious authorities. If we are to view the sensational case of the four apostates as a litmus test, relentless persecution is an avenue that our religious authorities are unabashedly keen to exploit. Ergo, there is certainly no freedom of religion in Malaysia. Well, not for Muslims at least.

Barely 72 hours after residents of the commune were shaken and stirred by the molotov cocktails of unidentified terrorists, a different sort of callous move was made, courtesy of the government of Malaysia.

In an about turn, under the directive of the Terengganu Islamic Affairs Department (J- Heat), the police detained not the terrorists but 58 of Ayah Pin's followers in lock-up. The intent is to charge them for acting contrary to a fatwa.

Included in the round up was a New Zealand national who was initially prevented from communicating with representatives of the New Zealand High Commission. After the adults were so suddenly snatched, some children were left in the village, parentless and alone. Now that their government has forsaken them, who will protect these people?

Our prime minister has stated that as the Chair of the Organisation of Islamic Conference, Malaysia is committed to promoting to the world that Islam is a 'religion of peace' . Paradoxically, some members of the Government seem bent on proving our prime minister wrong.

As the world intently watches on, will the prime minister dare make good on his latest promise?