KUALA LUMPUR, May 13 ― Borders' Muslim bookstore manager Nik Raina Nik Abdul Aziz expressed both surprise and relief today, following news that the Federal Territory Islamic Affairs Department (JAWI) had decided to drop its bid to continue prosecuting her over an allegedly un-Islamic book.

The grateful Nik Raina said she had almost given up hope that her ordeal would end and expressed her surprise, stating: "Our prayers, my parents', my family's and mine have been answered. I still cannot believe this." 

"This is a really big surprise for me. Having endured hardship for three years, I began to lose confidence that this matter could be resolved," she said in a statement today.

"I began to believe that the Syariah Chief Prosecutor would just ignore the Orders of the High Court and the Court of Appeal which directed JAWI to withdraw their action against me," she added.

She said she had even began to disbelieve that her lawyers' warning last week that JAWI could be cited for contempt of court would have any effect on the Islamic department, which she claimed only wanted to make her a "scapegoat".

But now, Nik Raina thanked her legal team headed by lawyer Rosli Dahlan and her employers Borders' operator Berjaya Books Sdn Bhd chief operating officer Yau Su Peng, Berjaya Corporation chairman Datuk Seri Robin Tan and founder Tan Sri Vincent Tan for their support.

She also thanked the new JAWI head for restoring Islam's image by directing the Federal Territory Chief Syarie Prosecutor ― who is attached to JAWI ― to drop the prosecution bid.

"Last but not least my thanks and gratitude to the new Pengarah JAWI Tuan Hj Paimuzi Yahya for his kindness in resolving this matter," she said.

"I will make special thanksgiving prayers for the conclusion of this matter," the Muslim added.

Earlier, Nik Raina’s lawyer Rosli Dahlan confirmed that JAWI had on Monday withdrew its appeal at the Federal Territory Shariah Court of Appeal against his client’s discharge not amounting to acquittal of selling a book deemed to be contrary to Islamic laws.

JAWI had arrested Nik Raina in 2012 well before Irshad Manji’s “Allah, Kebebasan dan Cinta” book was banned, later charging her over the selling of the Malay translation that the Islamic authority considered to be against Islamic laws.

Charged under Section 13 (1) of the Syariah Criminal Offences (Federal Territory) Act, Nik Raina could have landed in jail for up to two years or be fined RM3,000 if convicted.

Freed this week from the fear of continued prosecution at the Shariah Court, Nik Raina has one last legal battle at the Federal Court - the highest court in the civil legal system.

Despite the Kuala Lumpur High Court and Court of Appeal ruling in Nik Raina's favour in her judicial review challenging JAWI's actions, the Islamic department and two ministers had filed for leave to appeal at the Federal Court.

On August 25, the Federal Court is due to hear arguments from both sides before it decides if JAWI can go on with its appeal.