So Umno has monopoly over Islamic discourse?

YOURSAY 'In Malaysia, you can't discuss about Islam, especially if you are in politics. Your opponents will twist and turn whatever you say...'

Nurul denies supporting 'murtad'

SdnJF36784: It is quite clear to all right-thinking Malaysians that Nurul made that statement in the context of the Orang Asli childbeing slapped.

What she meant is that you do not force anybody to become a Muslim, Christian or Hindu. But once you are a Muslim, Christian or Hindu then you follow the rules of the religion.

In Islam, it says that you should never forsake the religion if you are a Muslim, then you should never forsake it.

Nurul never mentioned that we should forsake the religion that we are already in, what she did say is that we don't force someone not of our faith to join our faith so she could never have supported apostasy.

As far as I know, Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah Anwar is a pious and devout Muslim and I am certain she will remain so till her last breath.

Sarajun Hoda: The moment I read the report, I knew the ‘ulama kangkung' from Umno like Umno young ulama (Ilmu) working committee secretariat chairperson Fathul Bari Mat Jahaya will surely pounce on Nurul Izzah.

And Puteri Umno chief Rosnah Rashid Shirlin is just seizing the opportunity for political mileage. Can somebody explain the Surah 109 in the Quran?

According to Surah 109 of the Quran: "O disbelievers! Neither do I worship what you worship. Nor do you worship whom I worship. And neither will I ever worship what you worship. Nor will you worship whom I worship. For you is your religion, and for me is mine."

Multi Racial: This is what we can expect from those irresponsible politicians and religions leaders who will take advantage of such situations for their political gain.

What Nurul Izzah said was something everyone, regardless of race and religion, want - freedom of religion.

Scchin: In Malaysia, you can't discuss about Islam, especially if you are in politics. Your political opponents will twist and turn whatever you say, and they are always right while you are always wrong.

I pity our Muslim brothers and sisters - believers of other religion in Malaysia can have the freedom of speech regarding their religion, but not Muslims. Malaysia will never progress with this government.

Goh Keat Peng: What logic is applied in this matter? If the Lembah Pantai MP is wrong, then in effect those who disagree with her are actually saying that those who have embraced Islam and today stay in Islam have not done so voluntarily.

These critics don't know what they are saying. They should explain themselves to the public.

YF: Instead of reinventing one's religion, one should comprehend the spirit behind Sura 2:256 "Let there be no compulsion in religion: truth stands out clear from error: whoever rejects evil and believes in God hath grasped the most trustworthy hand-hold, that never breaks. And God heareth and knoweth all things."

Does God delight in false believers or true ones? What's the point of becoming a Muslim and yet behaving like the Menteri Udang (Prawn Minister), Menteri Lembu (Cow Minister), etc?

These Umno people are all in error and the Quran clearly rejects such corrupt people. Sadly, the people who have made these comments today never put their teachings to practice.

Banzai: I am not a Muslim, but I sometimes wonder and with due respect to Muslims, which rule they follow, the rule of the Holy Quran or Umno's version of the Holy Quran.

I see that some Muslim countries allow their citizens to select their religion even though they are Muslims by birth.

Hang Tuah: The Holy Quran (verse 256 Surah Al-Baqarah) states there is no compulsion in religion. The federal constitution says one must be Muslim to be considered Malay.

So all these goons are following the federal constitution as their religion, and not Islam.

Based on this logic, the woman in the controversial conversion case Lina Joy is no longer a Malay. What race she now, God only knows.

Not Confused: Why on earth shouldn't Malays have the choice of religion? Based on the text from the Quran, there is no compulsion in religion.

Even Malays should have the right to choose their religion at an age when they are able to intelligently decide, say 13 or 18.

Children born to Malays currently have no choice and have to conform to Islam for the rest of their lives. Is that right? I think not.

Nurul was being honest and displaying the common sense that most of the rest of us are happy to see in a people's representative.

To compel someone to follow a religion when their heart is not in it just breeds a population of parrots and lemmings who have no real faith other than that which had been imposed on them by others. How can that be right in any religion?

Ruben: Well, I knew that Umno and Utusan Malaysia will turn this into a huge issue. This is just to take the spotlight off the many scandals that have been hobbling BN-Umno.

I cannot believe how shallow the thinking of the powers-that-be are. Islam has got such protection and coverage in Malaysia than in most parts of the world, that if someone just makes a comment on the subject it becomes a sacrilege.

Onemalaysian: It is Umno Malays who have brought shame to Islam and Muslims. Umno ulama, are you all prepared to debate on this subject? After Islam Hadhari, now it is Islam Umno as interpreted strictly by Umno only.

These Umno members are Muslims who can cheat, lie, slander, steal the rakyat's money by giving out contracts to their cronies, and the list is as long as from Padang Besar to the Malaysian Immigration at Johor Bharu.

Anonymous #37634848: If there are Muslims insecure with their religion, that clearly means that they were not given proper foundations in Islam.

The religious councils, the muftis, the minister in charge of Islam, etc, should plan and implement proper teachings and not lament on Malays converting to other religions.

NH Gong: Are there no rational Muslims around? Why must the spoilt brats always win by threats of violence? - Malaysiakini