YOURSAY ‘This is what we need to progress: objectivity and open discussion’.

'Prophet didn't grant Muslim parent custody'

Ratbatblue: What is sorely needed now is for more and more Muslims to be brave enough to voice their opinions over such matters.

By far, the great majority of "opinions and thoughts"are proffered or demanded by a radical few individuals/groups, and the silent fair and just majority is just too afraid to state their point of view, bar some individuals like independent Islamic scholar and preacher Wan Ji Wan Hussin.

Why is this so? Why are the majority afraid of the minority even when something unfair and not just happens, as in this custody case involving Hindu mother S Deepa, her two children and her convert ex-husband.

Simple logic reads that this six-year-old child should be with the mother, as would be the usual case if it were to involve two religions. However, in Malaysia, Islam being involved takes on a new twist, or meaning, even when it involves non-Muslims.

What I fail to understand is that given many schools of thought in the Muslim religion, why is it that one school is given the liberty to dominate the others? Is it because the government of this country subscribes to the tenets of this particular group?

YUNoAnon: Men in position and objective thinking like Wan Ji need to speak out more. This is what we need to progress: objectivity and open discussion.

Washing hands like what the police and Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi did will see the nation regress.

Enlightened Muslim: I am a non-Muslim. There should be more Muslims like Wan Ji who is rational and fair in his thoughts and also sufficiently open-minded to invite dialogue to find a solution to various issues, be them religious or otherwise.

Muslims like Wan Ji are able to portray the positive aspects of Islam which will ultimately attract more non-Muslims to voluntarily convert to Islam.

There is no need to use high-handed methods to force convert anyone. Show us the beauty of the religion and many of us will voluntarily convert.

Geronimo: "Police will not act on Deepa's report on the snatching, claiming that her ex-husband Izwan Abdullah was granted custody by the Syariah Court."

So, this confirms that our police force is but an Islamic police force just like those in Iran and Saudi Arabia. What has happened to the police who are supposed to look after the interests of the non-Muslims?

Ksn: One report mentioned that the judge spoke to the boy who chose to be with the mother. Let him be with her until he is big enough to choose who he wants to be with and what religion he wishes to follow, just like Prophet did.

The age mentioned was 18 to make a choice. Meanwhile the civil court order should stand.

Multi Racial: People like Wan Ji, constitutional expert Abdul Aziz Bari and former law ministers Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz and Zaid Ibrahim, give a positive portrayal of Islam as a fair and just religion.

IGP Khalid Abu Bakar, home minister and several NGOs on the other hand, give Islam a bad image. Just pray there are more Muslims in this country like the former.

Thinking Right: Get it correct - this couple was married under civil law and not under Islamic law. So there is no place for the latter for this case.

Everything the converted ex-husband did was against civil law. He cannot take the “converted to Muslim” platform and commit acts like allegedly kidnapping and causing grievous injuries to Deepa and their children.

Wiser: All religion basically teaches only good things. Mix politics with religion and you will have some power self-seeking leaders preaching their version of the religion, and all hell breaks lose. If left unchecked, the country is doomed. It will be classified "religiously extremist".

Apolitical Observer: What is really hurting is to see the majority of the Malays being silent about this injustice. I am sure the majority of Malays are sensible and found the whole episode unfair to the poor mother. But why the Malays are scared to speak up against this injustice?

Anonymous_3e06: Numbers do not make a religion better or holier or more truthful. What is happening is some Muslims feel they are far more superior than people of other religion. So, they are into grabbing and stealing and forcing people into their religion.

Is that what religion is about? Or is it that more Muslim would means Umno will win the election? What is the thinking of the sultans in this matter? They are head of Islam in this country.

KDP: Let us forget all these stories from scholars and stick to facts. Civil law is supreme and a court order must be complied with.

Now the cops need to enforce that order or failing which we need deputised armed officers of the court like the US to enforce this order. No need for opinions from simians in the religious department or syarie lawyers associations.

Jstom: The syariah law that once you are a Muslim you can ignore one's civil marriage is illegal and against the constitution and must be repealed. There's no two ways about it. Both the IGP and home minister must resign if they cannot uphold the constitution.

Mushiro: Islam is a beautiful and fair religion but it is those ignorant and fanatics who make Islam ugly.

Negarawan: Wan Ji, thanks for speaking out. I urge more of our peace loving and compassionate muslim brothers and sisters to proclaim the true Islamic teachings, and not let the Umno-linked extremists tarnish Islam.

Anonymous #039163649: The child should be allowed to choose and those of very tender age should be handed to the mother who is naturally equipped by God to be a better care giver. "Syurga di tapak kaki ibu" (heaven is at the mother’s feet).

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