I read with interest the various comments on the enactment of the mind-boggling religious law in Terengganu.

I almost laughed (if it only was not painfully tragic) at the comments by Patriot in Mystifying and mystical ways of hudud on what constitutes "illicit sex" and what does not.

To me, a foreigner living in this country, it sounds all so unbelievable, absurd and illogical, that I am almost waiting for somebody to come by and shout: "It's a joke, you fools!"

Think for a moment as to how a woman could produce four witnesses, all males and all Muslim, to prove she has been raped? Can this ever be done? If she has been raped in the Shah Alam stadium during a football match, she might stand a chance!

Anyway, Islam's stance on sex is nothing new to anybody. Sex is bad, period. Unless it is done with your rightful partner. Well, allow me to disagree with this point of view. To me lovemaking remains the most beautiful thing we have left in this crazy world.

But as I said, Islam's stance on sex is no different from most other religions except that stoning is not condoned, at least not anymore. But what I found absolutely disgusting, revolting and unacceptable is the "law" that calls for the death and confiscation of properties of those Muslims who decide to renounce their religion.

Please, somebody tell me that this information is wrong, that there is no such thing, that everybody remains free to choose the religion that best suits him or her, without fear of persecution or worse.

How can a country that proclaims itself to be "democratic" allow such things to happen? I am absolutely disgusted at the thought that somebody might really risk his or her life in order to follow his or her true religious calling.

I cannot imagine that a bunch of pundits and self-proclaimed saviours of the religion are seriously thinking to implement such a rule.

And if unfortunately this turns out to be true, how can we possibly even conceive that these are really "laws dictated by God". This is Fascism my dear friends, this has got nothing to do with religion.

This is pure and simple prevarication of human rights, and, even though I know it is wrong, these are situations that will lead the West to look even more at the Islamic world with suspicion and fear. Anybody who does not stand up and shout at the top of his voice: "No, this is wrong and it shall not happen in this country" will be responsible for making the situation — which already appears almost beyond salvation — worse.

And again, if this happens, even though I have been raised to respect and love all beings, my opinion on Islam will just reach the lowest level ever.