Explain 'hudud' to non-Muslims

The fact is that non-Malays know little or nothing about Islamic laws or "hudud". Ask any ordinary Malaysian on the street today what hudud means and the answer will be, "Oh, that one means if you steal, they cut your hands."

Umno, supposedly the "champion" of the Malays and Islam has conveniently forgotten to champion the cause of Islam for the ordinary Malays. They have forgotten the way of Islam. Unlike the Western philosophy about the separation of church and state, good governance is part of the Islamic nation building.

What PAS is trying very hard to do with limited success (thanks to Umno's disinformation strategy) is to spread this message to all Malaysians irrespective of race, creed or religion. For Malaysians to live in harmony, the understanding of each others' religion and practices is an essential component. Instead PAS has been painted as a group of fanatical "mullahs" bent on setting up an Islamic state.

Hudud is a requirement in Islam and is applicable to Muslims only. Hudud is a component of Islamic laws. Umno sees hudud as an ancient law not applicable in this modern day an age. If so, then why do the states of Texas, Louisiana and Arizona in the US, the world's most advanced democracy, still practise the the death penalty?

In Malaysia, when a murderer is found guilty, he/she is summarily executed. In hudud the sentence is the same, only the method of execution differs. So how different are these laws from that demanded by Islam?

It is imperative that non-Muslims understand that hudud does not apply to them. It only applies to Muslims. If non-Muslims are caught committing crimes they are judged by the civil law of the country. Hudud does not interfere with the lifestyle of non-Muslims. The state of Kelantan does not stop non-Muslims from consuming alcohol or pork. It only restricts the place of consumption so as not to offend the Muslim community. Isn't that fair enough?

Its hoped that the PAS leaders continue to publicise and educate the public, especially non-Muslims on hudud laws and the impact on them. Only with education will the people learn how just Islamic laws are. Non-Muslims should also take the initiative to learn about the same subject. Its only in their advantage to do so.

As for Umno, it should realise that the people of this country have matured tremendously after over 40 years of independence. Such vile tactics of playing the racial sentiment game, disinformation and blackmail which served it so well before is no more relevant. The latest election results shows it. If it refuses to learn, then the party will be guaranteed to sit on the opposition bench in parliament after the next elections.

Mua'allaf
(from malaysiakini.com)