10/07: Malaysia does not forbid Muslims from converting, PM says
[print] Category: General
Posted by: Raja Petra
(Kyodo) - Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said Monday that
Islamic authorities should be more understanding in handling conversion issues
following numerous high-profile cases that threw Malaysia's image as a
progressive and moderate Muslim country into question.
"I have always told the religious departments to listen to their grouses why
they want to leave the religion. We have to be ready to listen and to resolve
the problem," he told reporters on the sidelines of an international Islamic
seminar.
"This is not something that cannot be done (leaving Islam). It has happened
before. For those who don't want to be Muslim anymore, what can you do?"
Abdullah added.
Malaysia is currently embroiled in tense and emotional debates over recent
cases involving Muslims who tried but failed to renounce their religion.
The discussions pit those who believe Malaysia needs to shore up its Islamic
credentials with more rigid enforcement against those who want freedom of
religion and secularism in the multiracial country where non-Muslims account
for about 40 percent of the 26 million population.
Some people such as Lina Joy, an ethnic Malay-Muslim who became the country's
most famous Christian convert, face tremendous challenges to practice their new
faith.
Joy had to live in hiding due to threats from religious zealots after she
sought redress in a secular court to recognize her new faith.
But the country's highest court, the Federal Court ruled that it has no
jurisdiction over conversion matter and directed her to the sharia Islamic
court.
But converts such as Joy know the hurdles they face if they go to the sharia
court.
Apostasy, considered one of Islam's greatest sins, is punishable by
imprisonment or a fine under Malaysia's sharia law. Converts also face being
sent to "rehabilitation" centers as in the case of Revathi Masoosai, an ethnic
Indian-Muslim who wants to be Hindu.
She applied to the sharia court to renounce Islam and for that she was sent to
the rehabilitation center for six months.
Revathi, who was released last week, spoke of being mentally tortured and that
she was threatened that her 15-month-old baby would be taken away from her.
She also spoke of being served beef most of the time even though beef is
prohibited for Hindus.
Despite her ordeal, the religious authorities still refused to grant her wish
to embrace Hinduism.
Instead, she has to continue receiving "counseling."
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