Azlina Jailani: Lina Joy

Does a Muslim have a right to convert to another faith? 40-something Lina Joy (who was formerly known and is still known as Azlina Jailani) is a Malay Muslim born in Malaysia. azLina converted to Christianity in 1998, and has been "fighting to switch" since. She last showed up in the MSM in 2004 and on the Blogosphere in 2005! azLina's family lives in the US. al Qurawiyy stopped by to see them.

NEWSFLASH: 30 May 2007 - LINA JOY LOSES APPEAL

US-based Pajamas Media joins with the MSM in covering this story. But why NOW? What makes covering this story more important today?

In Jailani's native Malaysia:

"...While Muslim-majority Malaysia is considered a largely moderate, modern society, renouncing one's Muslim faith still is considered both sinful and illegal by Islamic authorities -- who have gained increasing sway of late. Ms. Joy's apostasy case, now before Malaysia's highest court of appeal, has inflamed public debate, divided the legal community -- a Muslim lawyer supporting Ms. Joy has received death threats -- and threatens to set off political tremors in this Southeast Asian nation of 25 million people.

The landmark legal ruling, expected within a month, will help define Malaysia's character as a nation." - WSJ

Though religious people may say that it's a blessing that azLINA was born into Islam, it doesn't change the premise that people need to make their own choices

Those of you not familiar with Lina Joy Case can visit:

NECF - Lina Joy Case (1) March 17, 2005

NECF - Lina Joy Case (2) July 5, 2006

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