IFLA
by E. Lim Abdullah

While Brigitta Wong Fui Lin is entitled to her freedom of expression (“Shahrizat, what’s your game plan now?”, 22 Feb, “Minister, what’s your current stand?” 16 Feb), it needs to be pointed out that her abrasive intrusion into the Islamic Family Law Amendment ( IFLA ) debate is in extreme bad taste and a blatant affront to Muslim sensitivity.

The IFLA is a religious issue that does not concern non-Muslims. Putting things in perspective, Islam, meaning ‘submission’ – however awkward such a notion is to secular liberal thinking – is acceptance with a free conscience both the tenets of the faith and outwardly the injunctions of the Shariah which encompass formal ritual worship and the regulating of personal and social mores based on sacred texts. The Islamic family Law is a legal codification of a relevant part of that.

Ms. Wong’s savage mauling of the honourable minister, twice within a week, is baffling given the recent media reports that highlighted the support for Shahrizat from organizations representing mainstream Islam, many of whose members are women drawn from various professional backgrounds. After studying the bill in detail, they affirmed that it conforms to the objectives and methodology of the Shariah. It was very unfortunate that the way the bill was initially tabled confused many quarters, including Muslim women senators, women groups and members of the public.

Being a member of the cabinet charged with a high profile portfolio, making a u-turn on such a major issue makes the minister open to ridicule and abuse. But it was an enlightened one based on good faith and a correct attitude toward such a complex religious and legal issue.

Again, the Islamic Family Law is strictly a Muslim concern. Ms Wong’s spiteful comment about “ministers who either practices or have practiced polygamy” is irrelevant t the debate.

Admittedly non-Muslims may be affected when a family member reverts to Islam but there are channels by which such grievances can be addressed.

Ms Wong’s letters reflect the distressing trend that non-Muslims are making ill-informed, prejudiced and unwelcome comments on the religion of the majority of people of this country. This is very unhealthy, and dangerously crossing the lines of civilized discourse.

E. Lim Abdullah
c/o Damansara Specialist Hospital
119 Jalan SS 20/10
Damansara Utama
47400 Petaling Jaya
Tel/Fax : +603-77293173