In defending the move to implement hudud law in Kelantan, the state's executive councillor in charge of Islamic development cited analogies, including one related to circumcision.    

Nasaruddin Daud raised this when pointing out that there was no reason for non-Muslims to oppose hudud as the laws are not applicable to them.

"Can they (non-Muslims) say that we (Muslims) cannot circumcise? If they don't want to circumcise, we won't say anything.

"But to prevent us from doing so is not fair, it is not democratic. So it is the same with hudud, we have the right to practice Islamic teachings," he told the state assembly.

Nasaruddin also noted that the state government did not act in haste with regard to the Islamic criminal law.

"It has been 22 years. If a mother gives birth every year, she would have 22 kids already.

"And a girl back then is today a woman and can be asked for her hand in marriage, her parents would have grandchildren already.

"I say this to show that we are not gelojoh (in haste) to implement hudud," said Nasaruddin.

Nasaruddin had also said that they had considered the opinions of non-Muslims on the matter.

"Because we are open, we took into account their views as well," he said.

In relation to chopping off the hand for theft, Nasaruddin questioned why those who are against hudud were sympathising with thieves and not the victims.

"They say, oh it is so pitiful that their hands have to be chopped off.

"They should pity the victim who has lost his or her belongings. We must rectify this sort of thinking.

"And it is not easy to punish thieves. There are several circumstances where the punishment cannot be carried out," he said.

He cited the time of Prophet Muhammad where after 10 years of hudud, only two thieves had their hands chopped off.

"Hudud is not to punish, but to deter criminals," he said.