Religious groups upset that non-Muslims have no legal recourse over decisions made by the Syariah Court are taking to the streets, albeit in form of a short daily candlelight vigil.

The month-long vigil, organised by the Malaysian Consultative Council for Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism and Sikhism (MCCBCHS), began last night in front of the Kuala Lumpur High Court.

The group hope to create public awareness on the fact that non-Muslim are unable to seek civil court intervention into Syariah Court decisions.

They also sought to attract the attention of the authorities and hope that they would remedy the situation promptly, even if it means amending the federal constitution.

The crowd of 50 at the vigil was subdued apart from a few exchanges between friends. There was no chanting of slogans and the gathering ended in about 20 minutes before half a dozen police officers appeared at the venue.

When asked why the vigil ended so quickly, a spokesperson for the group said, "That's our purpose. We are non-confrontational. We just want to create awareness."

The vigil continues tonight at 8pm at the same venue. Organisers are encouraging concerned members of the public to join the gathering.

'Secretive conversions'

In another development, the MCCBCHS yesterday hit out at the alleged practice of "dubious and secretive" conversions conducted in the country.

MCCBCSHS spokesperson Rev Wong Kim Kong told a press conference yesterday that such conversions would have adverse effects on the family institution because under the Syariah law, non-Muslim family members would be denied inheritance from a deceased Muslim family member.

"Dubious and secretive conversions taking place in the country can destroy family relationships and deny family members rightful inheritance. It will affect the lives of the living," said Wong.

Citing the example of M Moorthy - deceased Everest climber and army commando - Wong said that even though he was a practicing Hindu up to the time of his death, Islamic authorities insist that the deceased was a Muslim on the basis that he converted last year in the army camp.

"His wife (S Kaliammal, photo, right ) did not know (about the alleged conversion) until the very last minute. We believe this should not have happened, especially in the armed forces where army personnel are separated from the family," added Wong.

Wong ( photo, left ) also reiterated the interfaith non-Muslim group's stand that the Syariah Court should have asked for Kaliammal to be represented during the court proceedings where the Islamic authorities sought a court declaration that Moorthy was a Muslim.

"Even worse criminals, such as murderers, are allowed to claim trial. What about her?" asked Wong.

Kaliammal have been involved in a week-long tussle with the Islamic authorities over Moorthy's body. The High Court has refused to review the Syariah Court decision. Kaliammal has vowed to file an appeal against the decision in the higher courts.

Hours after the High Court decision on Wednesday, Moorthy's body was claimed by the Federal Territory Islamic Religious Council and buried in a Muslim cemetery.

(Photos by Ong Ju Lin and Andrew Ong)