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I refer to the letter Subshini case: Non-Muslims' rights impeded .

It is very unfortunate that the writer of the letter has judged Muslim law as being unfair to non-Muslims. Yes, we are a pluralistic society thus we have to understand that Islam has a system of law which is based primarily on the Quran and the Prophetic 'sunnah' (teachings of the Holy Prophet of Islam which came from the other Prophets as well as his own exclusive teachings).

Thus in Islam you have the syariah courts. This court of law works on the basis of justice and it is not based on emotions. This means that even if a Muslim is brought before a syariah court, it does not mean that all rulings would be in supportive of him or her just because the other party is a non-Muslim.

The above writer alleged that it is 'unfair' for non-Muslims to seek recourse from the syariah courts. She says 'access to justice is denied' to non-Muslims in the context of the ruling on the Subshini case by the Court of Appeal. She has not only made arguments against the syariah courts but she had also attacked the Court of Appeal. Her responses are not based on clear arguments but merely on ad hominem arguments, which are fallacious.

She argues that syariah laws would privilege a person of the same faith and would be unfair to a person who is not a Muslim. I have to remind the writer of various historical precedents which are available that would make that argument invalid.

Regarding the case of Subshini, let's allow the courts to decide on it. It was the secular civil court's decision that has asked her to go to syariah courts. So let's wait and see. But I am somehow pessimistic in that should the syariah court rule against here, people would say 'What did you expect?'

But if the syariah court rules in her favour, they would instead say, 'There was no need for you to go there in the first place'. Another thing they could say if the syariah court rules in her favour is 'Look, there is justice in the syariah courts!'

As if justice in the syariah courts depends on a favourable outcome only for this particular case! Justice is justice and is not dependent upon a person's faith.

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