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Religious dialogue okay | Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi says there is no ban on inter-religious discourse. There's just a ban on "sensitive issues from being raised, particularly those linked to religious matters." (Sun2Surf, Malaysia, Sept. 13)

'No' to discussing religion | The Government will not allow public discussions on issues that can arouse anger among the followers of different religions, the Dewan Rakyat was told Monday (Daily Express, Malaysia, Aug. 22)

Pressure on multi-faith Malaysia | Malaysia is considering its multi-cultural credentials after a crowd of Muslims on Sunday broke up a meeting called to defend the rights of religious minorities (BBC, May 16)

Other coverage of the Lina Joy case includes:

Is Malaysia an Islamic state? | The issue has divided Malaysian society, threatening to push its constituent communities further away from one another (Maznah Mohamad, The Guardian, U.K., Sept. 21)

In Malaysia, a test for religious freedom | Court ruling on woman's bid to shed Muslim label will help define nation's character (The Wall Street Journal, Aug. 25)

Once Muslim, now Christian and caught in the courts | Malaysia's Islamic Shariah courts have prevented a convert to Christianity from marrying a Christian man, creating a firestorm in a country that considers itself moderate and modern (The New York Times, Aug. 24)

Learning from conservatism in Malaysia | How can we force someone to be a Muslim without her/his consent while Islam requires voluntary submission? (Arif Maftuhin, The Jakarta Post, Indonesia, Sept. 1)

Fundamentalism imperils 'model' Malaysian unity | This country is looked up to for its moderation, stability and impressive economic gains. But under the surface, a different reality appears to be unfolding, with potentially far-reaching con- sequences for this "model Islamic democracy." (The Washington Times, Aug. 31)

Petition filed wrongly | The Syariah Court here turned down a former Roman Catholic's attempt to return to Christianity after his conversion to Islam because he had used the wrong process (The Star, Malaysia, Aug. 31)

Court has yet to decide on Lina Joy's appeal | There will be no decision yet on Lina Joy's appeal to the Federal Court against the Court of Appeal's majority decision on Sept 19 last year which ruled that the National Registration Department director-general was right in not allowing her application to delete the word "Islam" from her identity card. (The Star, Malaysia, Aug. 24)

Church that baptised Lina Joy, convert from Islam, is reported | The report claims that the Muslim's baptism was "illegal". The Federal Court that should pass sentence on the woman's conversion is taking its time: "This is very sensitive issue." Meanwhile, Islamic blogs are calling on people to pray for a "victory of Islam" in the country (AsiaNews.it, Catholic site, Aug. 24)

Counsel: Islam can't be renounced at will | Lina Joy cannot become an apostate at will as she is subjected to the dual legal system, namely the civil courts and the Syariah Courts as well as the Syariah laws practised in this country, said government lawyers (Malaysia Star, July 5)

Lina Joy's case: Court will give decision as fast as possible (Barnama, Malaysia, July 4)

Freedom of religion in Malaysia? | Does Malaysia have freedom of religion? Maybe only if you're not Malay? (The Religion Report, ABC, Australia, June 28)

All eyes on Lina Joy case | This woman wants to get on with her life—get married, have children but something is blocking her plan. She cannot register her marriage at the civil registry. (The Star, Malaysia, June 25)

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November 2006, Vol. 50, No. 11