I cannot understand why some Muslims want to impose their values and practices on other less inclined Muslims. Contrary to what Amir Hamzah Amha wrote in Jawi bad, non-Muslims wrong, youths misguided , I fail to see any reason why non-Muslims cannot comment on Islamic law and why Muslims must be forced to obey these laws.
May I politely remind the writer that there is nothing in the Federal Constitution which supports his claim - although state Syariah laws may say otherwise. Malaysia is not an Islamic state ala Iran. Malaysia is a parliamentary democracy and non-Muslims have the right to comment on Islamic matters if they do not desire a social climate which is 'too Islamic' for their liking.
Likewise, Muslims have every right to go to a pub for a drink once in a while if they so desire. Islamic law cannot and should not be forced on them. For as long as there are Muslims who want to force their ideals onto other Muslims, there will always be room for religious extremism.
Indeed, to force one's beliefs and values upon others is precisely a form of extremism. Religious ideals only make sense and command respect when they are voluntarily observed and not forced upon others.
I would also like to comment on Mohd Elfie Nieshaem Juferi's letter Secular values an oxymoron .
Firstly, Elfie ought to acknowledge that what he claims to be revelation has no basis in terms of unequivocal scientific proof. Its only a question of faith. His faith.
Moreover, even if science has made mistakes, at least science is also self-correcting - unlike the domain of faith where truth is absolutely asserted without empirical evidence and cannot be corrected - especially in the arena of religious justice (now there's an oxymoron).
And finally, I reject any claims of absoluteness in religious belief. I would like to categorically ask Elfie - are other religions besides Islam also 'absolute truths'? Or is absolute truth merely to be found within Islam?
All truths and values are context dependent. They are relative. What was once acceptable norm, may have to be viewed otherwise as society evolves. Hence the liberal's rejection of various Hudud punishments.
It seems to me that some Muslims lack exposure to the various cultures and religions in Malaysia. Its time they opened their minds to other equally valid possibilities. After all, these are the legacies of the various great civilisations of the world.
