I would like to respond to the letter by Arbibi Arshoy, No reason to leave Islam , which begs for a response. I do agree with Arbibi that we do not know who this Mohammad Faisal is, unless he reveals the real reason why he chooses to leave Islam.

As a non-Muslim, I don't think it is all that big of a deal for Muslims to leave Islam. However, to the Muslims themselves, it is certainly a big deal, as they will be labelled as an apostate and therefore be liable to be punished under the Syariah law.

Not only that, the apostate will endure abuse and be shunned by his family, as well as other folk. That is why I empathise with Faisal as he is caught in a dilemma. What Faisal needs now is understanding, not more condemnation.

Here is Mohammad Faisal who dares to question Islam and to use his heart and not his head to decide that deep within his soul there is a reasonable doubt. I respect his choice but do others?

I am not here to bash Islam, as I do respect Islam and Muslims' right to practice their religion in peace and harmony with other religions here in Malaysia.

What I do wish is that this respect be reciprocated to other religions as well, not to mention to people like Mohammad Faisal. I hope to live to see the realisation of this phenomenon in my life time. Then, and only then, will Malaysia truly be for all Malaysians.

Where now there is mistrust, there will be respect and understanding. Where now there are Malays, Chinese, Indian and other races, there will be only a Bangsa Malaysia.

Instead of having a negative impression on why Mohammad Faisal has had a change of heart, we should look at the positive aspect of this issue. As put succinctly, one is inclined to ask why? But why not?