I would like to share my thoughts o­n religious freedom in Malaysia.

According to the history textbook taught in my secondary school, before the Malays were Muslims, they had their own tradition beliefs. Then Arab traders introduced Islam to the Sultan of Melaka. The Arab traders did not use any 'force' to introduce Islam to the sultan and he had the freedom to accept or reject Islam. The Sultan of Melaka accepted Islam o­n his own free will. If he did not have freedom to choose, he would not have accepted Islam.

Years after, the Portuguese, Dutch and English came. If they had forced the Muslims to convert to Christianity or imposed restrictions o­n Muslims such as not allowing new mosques to be built or banning the Holy Quran, would not the Muslims object and fight for their religious freedom?

If the religion was introduced not by way of force, should there be a policy to force others to follow the teaching of that religion?

If the believer of the religion does not want religious restrictions, why impose it o­n others?