A Muslim convert, who was locked in a custody battle with his Hindu former wife, is hoping that she would embrace Islam as well.

"I hope and pray my former wife will have the ‘hidayah’ (revelation) for her to embrace Islam, like how all her family members have done.

“She is the only one not embracing Islam," said Izwan Abdullah @ N Viran.

The NGO worker also described the Federal Court’s decision today as correct for both parties.

"Who does not want their children?

“But I think today's decision is the right decision as I have our son and she has our daughter. If the court gives both the children to Deepa, I would not be satisfied and likewise with Deepa if the children are given to me," Izwan told reporters when met at the Palace of Justice in Putrajaya today.

Although both parents were given access rights to meet their children, Izwan said the children would be a call away.

“There is the telephone and I will communicate with Nur Nabila (@ Sharmila) whenever I can," he said.

Since this case came up for litigation, Izwan had re-married one and a half year's ago to another divorcee and both are expecting their first child together. Izwan's second wife Sasibegam Abdullah also has two children from her previous marriage.

Visitation rights

When asked whether he would allow their children to decide their religion upon reaching 18, Izwan hopes they remained in Islam.

“Surely I would not agree that they leave Islam. I would give them the right teaching, but if they decide otherwise, I leave it up to Allah,” he said.

Earlier, the Federal Court ruled that Izwan would have custody of their eight-year-old son, while his ex-wife S Deepa ( photo ) would have custody of their 12-year-old daughter.

Prior to delivering their verdict, the five-member bench also met with the two children.

The court also granted visitation rights to both parents, and this is to take place once every two months, at the home of Deepa’s mother.

Deepa's mother Siti Aishah Abdullah converted to Islam after her second marriage.

Siti Aishah when met by Malaysiakini said she understood Deepa's despair as she lost her son to the father.

Personally, she feels it is a fair decision as the father gets the son and the mother gets the daughter.

Asked whether the children would remain with Islam, Siti Aishah said it is not a problem with her family as she knew Deepa would not give non-halal food.

“All of us are brought up in a Malay kampung. We know the sensitivities and trust that Deepa will continue to bring up her daughter while abiding by the Islamic religion,” she said.

Both parents agreed that the access meeting will be held at Siti Aishah's house in Jelebu once in two months on a Saturday.