Muslim converts in Perlis will now be allowed to retain their family names, instead of changing it to "Abdullah" following a state religious edict.

The fatwa , or religious edict, issued by the Perlis Fatwa Council said converts must retain their family or father's name to avoid confusion in their family history or lineage, the New Sunday Times reported.

"It's time that we correct society's misconception that converts must assign the bin or binti, which stood for "son of" or "daughter of" to "Abdullah", said state mufti Mohamad Asri Zainul Abidin.

"From now on, the council has decided that it is haram, or forbidden, for them to do so," Mohamad Asri said according to the newspaper.

Mohamad Asri said changing a convert's family or father's name to "Abdullah" was commonly practised in Malaysia as most thought it was required by Islam.

He said the practice was actually contrary to the teachings of Islam, which stresses fairness, equality and respect for one's parents.

He was quoted by state Bernama news agency as saying that changing ethnic Chinese or Indian surnames to a Muslim name was "awkward" and a mere tradition. He said it was unfair on the converts and their families.

"This should not be the case because they are actually being denied justice and their right," Mohamad Asri said, according to Bernama .