It is quite strange reading your report on the syariah lawyer's application to keep his name secret with regards to the proceedings involving the Ayah Pin followers.

The report did not however touch on the reasons as to why Wan Mohamed Haidi wishes to stay out of the limelight. Is he losing his Muslim clientele? Has he received any threats?

I remember reading a paper presented at a Suhakam conference, where lawyers representing apostates in the civil court received threatening telephone calls.

I am sure whatever the reasons offered in the application, it would be extremely useful to members of the legal profession, syariah lawyers and the public. I wonder what are the-behind- the scene stories about syariah lawyers representing the accused followers of Ayah Pin.

I know that syariah lawyers require a license from the religious authorities of the state they wish to practice in. Syariah lawyers are not organised like civil lawyers under the Legal Profession Act.

I would think that if a particular state religious authority does not consider it prudent for deviants to be defended, then the particular authority might be slow to grant or renew a licence for a syariah lawyer.

It might be interesting to know if syariah lawyers have been threatened or intimidated or otherwise reprimanded if they show an inclination to defend the Sky Kingdom accused. I wonder if any syariah lawyer who is also a member of the Malaysian Bar has lodged any complaint to the Bar Council of any threats.

And by the way, why must women wear a tudung in the Syariah Court? Your report stated that the syariah judge in the Sky Kingdom case ordered Kamariah Ali to wear a tudung. Is there a dress code for litigants and accused? What if they are not Muslims? Perhaps readers might help clarify this.