YOURSAY 'I pray we have more Malaysians like Masjaliza who can teach us how to make something positive out of the evil planned by others.'

Scripture readers: Why burn when you can learn?

Black Mamba: We have a Muslim reading a Bible and she doesn't even feel it is threatening to her faith. In fact, she finds it enlightening like all holy scriptures.

This is the way to understand other religions. I know there are also many non-Muslims who read the Quran without boasting about it.

Many a time non-Muslims are exposed to the surah and hadiths put up on billboards, TV3, RTM and at seminars, and none feels any lesser in their faiths, be they Hindus, Christians, Buddhists or Taoists.

Tan Kim Keong: What a fantastic idea! I salute Centre of Independent Journalism executive officer Masjaliza Hamzah.

I'll participate if you are planning for another one. You may have mooted the start of a civil society movement to understand one another's faith. Kudos to you and all the others who were at Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC) for this event.

Mohican: I can see that Perkasa members and Perak mufti Harussani Zakaria are all shaking their heads in disbelief.

As for you, Masjaliza, you are a woman of great substance and a hero of great virtue. Bushels of thanks to you for your pragmatic approach.

Not Confused: This is a far more positive and enlightened approach than fundamentalist bigots like Harussani.

His mind is concentrated on banning, threatening, scaring and sadly misrepresenting his own religion - that he seems to think is in some kind of peril. What an idiot.

Mahashitla: Good move Masjaliza, this reflects on your good upbringing by your parents and will make your religion more respectable.

Ibrahim Ali, along with his advisor former PM Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Perkasa, are all so intoxicated with greed that they can no longer see the good that is written in the holy book - any holy book.

In their lives they only know how to sow hatred and incite more hatred so as to gain political power.

Multi Racial: Author Jeremy Chua reading a translated Quran will not draw criticism from the Christian community. Not from the priests or Christian politicians.

In the case of Ms Masjaliza Hamzah, that may be a different matter altogether despite her act being no different from Jeremy Chua's. The majority of Malaysians, including Muslims, will thank her for standing up to make a point.

However when it comes to some of our rulers, Muslim politicians and Muslim religious leaders, it is a different matter. Their reactions to such issues, especially from some of them, have been disappointing.

It is time for these narrow-minded people to learn from Masjaliza. In my opinion, she brings more respect to Islam.

Anonymous #32993250: Malaysians should be proud that we have such great personalities who have such greatness to enjoy God's diversity as compared to some narrow-minded book-burning people.

Headhunter: Masjaliza Hamzah, I salute you. You are a true Muslim. And because of what you did, I'll be looking for a English translation of the Quran to read and hopefully gain more understanding of your religion. And it will not make me a lesser Christian.

Anonymous_3e46: There are more sane, responsible and mature people of all races and religions in this country than that small group of bigots who are vile, evil and fearless of divine retributive justice, people who rattle and spew out venom. Shame on them.

Veja: Masjaliza said, "Other people may be worried for me, but I am not worried about my own faith." I couldn't have put it any better in describing those people with an inferiority complex.

Kerana Benar: Good job to both Masjaliza and Marina Mahathir. This is a forward-looking move to counter those who try to stoke fire between Muslims and Christians. Show them we can live in peace and love one another as require by Allah.

Ah Boss: Marina should talk to her father and make him apologise to all Malaysians for his evil plans to increase the Muslim population in Sabah so as to boost Umno's vote bank.

Simon Lee1: Allah bless you, Masjaliza Hamzah! You make us all proud to be Malaysians.

There is great future for Malaysia if there are more people and patriots like you, but unfortunately it's an uphill task as this country has been hijacked and destroyed by the supremacist bigots and racists.

And if ever Umno and the corrupt attain absolute power (by every corrupt and illegal means) in the coming election, the destruction of this country is imminent and the enslavement of the poor Malays would continue forever.

2zzzxxx: I pray we have more Malaysians like Masjaliza who can teach us how to make something positive out of the evil planned by others. With people like Masjaliza, I do think our beloved country has a bright future.

Abcxyz: The gathering was a good idea, but sad to say that our country is full of stupid ideas by Umno and its cronies.

Anonymous_3f4b: Books in whatever form and language must never be burnt. They are the repositories of knowledge and crafted by hours of painstaking labour and thoughts.

Books are sacred and a joy. Let all read them and judge the contents. A good book will be well received, earn accolades and find acceptance. A lousy book which only preaches hatred, anger and revenge will be rejected, discarded and thrown into the dustbins.

It is time to ignore hate-spewing and violence-inciting expired and irresponsible politicians who are hell-bent to create havoc and disrupt the public peace. The public book reading fest is a good and productive non-violent way to counter such undesirable elements.

Only One God: I celebrate the great minds we have in Marina Mahathir and Masjaliza and the rest who gathered at KLCC.

We must set an example to teach our small-minded people like Perkasa chief Ibrahim Ali to respect other people's quest of truth. The truth will set you free; but they are in the worst bondage.

Human Being: They should invite that ‘katak' (frog) to open the event with him reading a short passage (that is, if he knows how to read).

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