It is saddening to see the sanctity of Islam as a religion being questioned and debated in the public forum. In the case of M Moorthy or Mohammad Abdullah, I see no reason why we must question the role of Syariah Court over the civil court to preside on the case. This is not the first time, where the status of the deceased's religion is being questioned. A pile of files in the religious authorities' possession across the states in Malaysia could verify the fact.

I am not against the advocators of the freedom of speech as well as sympathisers of Moorthy's widow. Multi-racial and multi-religious country such as Malaysia must make available every possible avenue to express grievances and dissatisfactions. Nevertheless, we must never suppress the fact that Malaysia stands on the pillars of unity, tolerance and moderation. Before we engross in a discussion on such magnitude, we must always take into account the repercussion which might arise aftermath.

Being born as Malay and spent the entire childhood surrounded by peers from various races and religions, I am proud to be living in a country of such diversity. I witnessed various situations where tolerance and moderation even in the issue of religions and cultures took precedence. But, why recently, we have been so meticulous with the latter?

Coming back to the issue in hand, I personally believe that the system failed to functions appropriately. Converts must declare their beliefs especially to the close family members. We are not living in hostile environment such as early days of Islam in Mecca. The Islamic religious authority possesses sufficient provisions, legally and financially to take care their welfare. Ostensibly, that is the primary role of the authority to the converts. In the case of Moorthy, definitely, Jakim would have come out with amicable solutions for all parties.

Even when the converts are reluctant to declare, they must be counseled and guided to do so. Family members must no be made unbeknownst. The role and inviolability of the country's constitution, legal system, norms and cultures must be preserved at all costs, with causing detrimental to element and sensitivity of religions.

There are also provisions for non-Muslim to present their remedies in the syariah courts. It is unusual, though but not impossible. Maybe, the time has come for the legal experts to make these provisions re-available for future cases.

We are on the path of achieving higher standard living conditions. The role of the government is to ensure the systems are in place to accommodate the process. Similarly, the public must also evolve of becoming more mature and rational. We must set aside the sensitivities which could endanger our road to success.