Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe by Email “As Islam is a very important factor to the majority of the voters, lot of money is spent on it – to build mosques, Islamic universities, colleges, schools and other Islamic institutions.
“But since Malaysia is a multi-religious country, the government also provides financial and other assistance to construct houses of worship for other religions,” he said.
I believe more could be done to safeguard the religions of other followers for example by creating a goverment department in charge of non-muslim affairs, having a tax-exempted and govt approved collection for each religion, establishing an inter-religious arbitration panel, clearing the ambiguity between syariah and civil laws, ensuring proper process for conversions and so on.
CJ asks for sensitivity to religious sentiments when interpreting law
Bernama
NEW DELHI, Sat:
Malaysian Chief Justice Datuk Abdul Hamid Mohamad, in his maiden speech outside the country, has called on legal experts to be more sensitive to religious sentiments when interpreting the law.
This, he said, was particularly relevant when society comprised various ethnic groups.
“Judges should be aware of the surroundings and circumstances even in interpreting the constitution.
“I think, there is a lesson that can be learned from the Malaysian experience; let the country develop the way that best suits her, so long it is done democratically,” he said in an international conference on “State, Religion and Law In and Beyond South Asia” here.
He also launched a book entitled “Laws of India on Religion & Religious Affairs,” penned by prominent Indian legal expert Tahir Mahmood.
In the speech, Hamid described Malaysia as a plural society with much religious tolerance where the government allows people to venerate their own faith even though Islam is the main religion.
“As Islam is a very important factor to the majority of the voters, lot of money is spent on it – to build mosques, Islamic universities, colleges, schools and other Islamic institutions.
“But since Malaysia is a multi-religious country, the government also provides financial and other assistance to construct houses of worship for other religions,” he said.
