I refer to malaysiakini report Lina Joy's mother: Let me speak to her .

I really empathise with Lina Joy's mother for missing her daughter. As I always believe, a mother's love for her children is beyond compare and knows no bounds.

Even though Lina Joy is now a Christian, I believe her mother's love will not waiver. If only all authorities respect Lina's wish, this uncalled for suffering of both mother and child could have been avoided.

At the press conference Pembela head Yusri Mohamad said: 'We feel that, if from the beginning there had not been disrespect towards (family) relations, the going against of Islamic laws, the sensitivities and customs of the community, this would not have occurred'.

Yusri is right in saying that one of the causes of this mess is the showing of disrespect towards family relations. It is true that Lina and her husband's life have been disrupted by all these unnecessary court actions. Their life would be much happier if all parties, including the religious officials, showed some respect for Lina's desire to lead a life she herself chose.

Similarly, Revathy's life with her children and husband would not have been just shattered if only those religious officials showed some respect for choice to be a Hindu.

Yes, I support Yusri in that all parties must show respect towards family relations. But respect must be mutual from both parties.