The Penang Syariah High Court in George Town today dismissed a preliminary objection by the Penang Islamic Religious Council (MAIPP) against an application by two siblings for a declaration that they were not Muslims.

In rejecting MAIPP’s application, Syariah High Court Judge Othman Ibrahim, said the court could hear the case and ordered the siblings, Roslina Abdul Rashid and younger brother, Rosli Abdul Rashid, to name the registrar of Muallaf as the second respondent.

Roslina and Rosli, both in their 30s, filed their application in 2010.

The application is made under Section 61 of the Enactment on Islamic Religious Administration (Penang) 2004 which empowers the court to hear and decide  on actions, as well as proceedings, involving for a declaration that a person is no longer a Muslim.

The siblings are represented by lawyer Wan Faridulhadi Mohd Yusoff, while MAIPP is represented by lawyer Faizal Arif Tajul Ariffin.

The court set July 2 for mention.

- Bernama