The letter is exactly how the spin-doctors and those who can't really grasp the big picture jump on the bandwagon and start issuing thinly-veiled threats.
No one is questioning the sanctity of Islam. The question that is being asked is whether the religious authority has the right to covertly go about their business. Even the syariah lawyers are of the opinion that Jakim is messed up.
Please don't get too excited and start bringing up the old excuse of keeping racial and religious sentiments at bay. This has got nothing to do with that. If the law clearly says so, why did Jakim not inform the family of M Moorthy of his conversion to Islam?
If Moorthy has converted to Islam, that is his right. But the sense of injustice is whether he was coerced into it or was not able to decide for himself.
I am also tickled silly that there are many 'religious specialists' who are saying that Moorthy's lifestyle, as a convert, should be investigated to see if he lived the life of a true Muslim in order to be given a Muslim burial. Are we saying that we investigate all Muslims to see if they are true followers?
Let us not confuse the issue. The issue being debated now is where does a non-Muslim turn to for justice if the civil courts say that a matter is for the Syariah Court to decide but the Syariah Court says non-Muslims cannot enter it?
Maybe we all should accept what MP for Kota Baru Zaid Ibrahim said recently in that it is time we have a constitutional court to decide on this and on any other contentious constitutional matter.