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Religious bodies and Bar laud move |
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Friday, 11 April 2008 08:34am |
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©The
Star (Used by permission)
KUALA LUMPUR: Religious bodies and the Bar Council have welcomed the Prime
Minister's announcement of a requirement for non-Muslims wishing to convert to
Islam to inform their families first.
They said this would be the first step towards resolving the many problems which
have arisen when non-Muslims converted to Islam without the knowledge of their
spouses or family members.
Council of Churches of Malaysia general secretary Rev Datuk Dr Hermen Shastri
said the council had repeatedly made such a proposal to prevent problems when a
spouse discovered that his or her partner had converted in secret.
“But we should go further in ensuring that should the non-converting spouse not
want to follow the converted spouse (in converting to Islam), all matters
regarding the dissolution of the marriage must be handled in the civil court,”
he said last night.
Dr Shastri suggested that converting non-Muslims should be required to provide
documented proof at the point of conversion that they had informed their
families.
“This is to avoid conflicts arising within the family when the converted spouse
makes claims, legal or otherwise, which the non-converting spouse is kept in the
dark about, for example, on the conversion and custody of children and property
rights,” he said.
Bar Council chairman Ambiga Sreenevasan lauded the measure but said details of
its implementation must be worked out.
She said the Syariah or Islamic authorities must be satisfied that the family of
the converting non-Muslim had been informed of the conversion before allowing
the non-Muslim to proceed with his or her intention.
“This is only one of the issues that faces a non-converting spouse and there are
many others that need to be looked into, but this is an important step,” she
said.
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Circular No 297/2008
'Amen' is the word. When someone wants to change his religion, there ought to be celebration - at least within the 'self' if not among his relations.
He should not be allowed to be such a coward - as to choose to confine and keep this important information a secret - without revealing his intentions or confirmations regarding his change of religion.
Let there be celebrations and jubilations! Furthermore, it will avoid all future complications and confusions - especially during the time when he is not around to offer any explanation.
Tan Peek Guat