Reader Latif claims that former chief judge Anuar Zainal Abidin was irresponsible in observing that apostasy means death in Islamic mainstream thinking. He accuses Anuar of having no knowledge on the matter and that he should not say anything on a subject he has no knowledge about.

How do we know that Latif has sufficient expertise to write about apostasy? Here, Latif falls flat with his face in the mud.

It is common knowledge that an apostate should be killed. This is the prevailing view endorsed by most Muslims in government from here to Sudan to Nigeria. So I do not know where Latif sprung from.

Obviously, not all believing Muslims think that death for apostasy is an article of faith. Anuar merely recites what is the common belief among Muslims in Malaysia. This batch of believers include lawyers, ulama and politicians.

The PAS 'hudud' and 'qisas' laws of Kelantan and Terengganu endorse this view of the death sentence. Umno is too scared of being seen as 'kafir' or 'munafiq' in opposing.

My advice to Latif is to go work the ground and get involved in changing Muslim perceptions. Perhaps supporting the group Article 11 is a good start.