Uphold Islam in the right way, Nik Raina tells JAWI

There is no wrong in upholding Islam, but make sure it is done in the right way.

This was the advice to the Federal Territory Islamic Religious Department (JAWI) from Borders bookstore manager, Nik Raina Nik Abdul Aziz who was discharged by the Syariah High Court on Feb 26.

She was charged with selling and distributing books that are against the principles of Islam.

In an exclusive interview with Astro AWANI, Nik Raina said if there is anything that has to be changed after what she has experienced, it is the attitude of JAWI.

“I hope JAWI’s attitude can change. I feel they have to be more ethical while performing their duties. Because the ends do not justify the means,” she said in the interview, Tuesday.

“They should know the facts before they act on anything. They simply cannot exercise their power to sue or punish me,” she added.

Nik Raina said so while referring to JAWI’s decision to file a plea to the Kuala Lumpur High Court on March 9 that released her who was involved in the sales of the controversial Allah book titled, Kebebasan dan Cinta (Freedom and Love) by Irshad Manji.

Nik Raina said if JAWI does such a thing, they are only projecting a negative perception about Islam to others.

“It appears as if Islam is evil. Only knows to find faults. However, Islam is simple. I really hope that whatever JAWI’s course of action is in the future let it be more ethical. We respect their decision and advice.

“When they advise we accept. If they come with the intention to sue or punish me, that’s not fair to me. Also not for those who make their earnings here,” Nik Raina said.

Nik Raina also questioned the manner in which the notice was sent to her.

“Usually, any mails will be sent to my house. But this time, they sent to my work place when I was not around.

“I was surprised as to why the notice was sent in an unsealed envelope and without my name written on it. Anyone could have opened and read the contents of the envelope. Is this how a notice is to be sent?” she asked.

Nik Raina said after three years of enduring the case and when she felt that it has come to an end after being released by the Shariah High Court, she still wonders as to what JAWI’s motive is with the plea.

“Do they enjoy seeing me imprisoned or being punished? Is that what they want from?

“I am just working in a bookstore. Is that such a big crime that they want to do this to me? I’m making an honest earning. If it is somewhere else where I was not supposed to be working then it is different,” she said while adding that JAWI has clearly misused their power in her case.

Nik Raina was arrested on May 30, 2012, and was charged under Section 13 of the Syariah Criminal Offences (Federal Territories) Act 1997 for the offence of "disseminating and distributing" by way of selling the books deemed contrary to Islamic law.

She was charged at the Syariah High Court on June 19, 2012.

On Dec 30 last year, the Court of Appeal ruled that JAWI search and seizure of Canadian author, Irshad Manji's books at a Borders bookstore, was unlawful.