YOURSAY | ‘Actions related to any religion should not be done in haste and secrecy.’

Interfaith group wants seven-day notice from person converting

FellowMalaysian: The government's and Home Ministry’s much-awaited and long overdue proposal to amend the Law Reform (Marriage and Divorce) Act 1976 (LRA) related to sections on interfaith marriages is in the offing and will likely be presented in Parliament in the coming October session.

However, so far, one of the non-Muslim authorities on such matters, the Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST), has not been contacted by the ministry for their opinion, concerns and advice on this matter.

Is the government telling us that the ministry, which is 98 percent staffed and perhaps advised by persons belonging to a particular religion, is capable enough and possess the religious prerequisites of those who are guardians of their very own religions and faiths to make fundamental changes to the laws governing their very own conduct and behaviour?

MCCBCHST has just denied any claims that suggested that they have had prior engagements with the government. So, can we hope against hope that miracles do happen in the most unexpected ways?

Vijay47: The proposed LRA amendments, in which I have absolutely no confidence or faith until they are actually passed and not merely promised ad infinitum, raise two issues.

First, there seems to be this requirement cast in stone that with the conversion of one party, the marriage entered into under civil law must result in a divorce.

Why should this be so? The conversion could have been decided and agreed upon amicably, with the couple still wanting to live together as man and wife. Why should man put asunder what God has put together? We do not see similar enforced destruction of a marriage where non-Muslim religions are concerned.

Secondly, on a more secular point, why has that inspector-general of police (IGP) Khalid Abu Bakar still not arrested that child kidnapper, as ordered by the court? And he wants us to believe that he is all set to take on any challenge from the Islamic State (IS) terror group?

OMG!: Merely requiring the converting spouse ‘A’, to inform his wife ‘B’, allows for many loopholes. For example:

1. ‘A’ lies that he is single.
2. ‘A’ lies that he has informed the wife.
3. ‘A’ allegedly colludes with the Islamic authorities.

Despite his married status, he is converted. Immediately afterwards, he marries a Muslim. This is what led to the cases of M Indira Gandhi, etc, and the first wife's years of torment, loss of her children, etc.

‘A’ must be required to advertise in the Malay, English, Mandarin (if Chinese) and Tamil (if Tamil) newspapers that he proposes to convert at least 14 days before such a planned conversion.

The Islamic authorities, as a standard operating procedure (SOP), should search the registration databases to exclude the possibility of ‘A’ being already married, and the officer concerned must fill up a form certifying that he has checked and drawn a blank. There must be a penalty if that certificate is false and/or inaccurate.

What is the existing situation regarding the children (prior to the conversion of one spouse) who were conceived and born while both husband/wife were non-Muslims? It must be clearly stated what the position is regarding those children.

We do not want a situation where the IGP says, "I am confused." There should be an embargo on all the children below 18 being converted to Islam, until they reach 18. Then, the case of the male convert kidnapping his children and proceeding with their conversion will not arise.

Azhar: Yes, you must inform everyone concerned, especially your family, of your intentions. Advance notice should be given and it should also include a cooling-off period to prevent any coercion or undue persuasion.

In fact, conversion should only be done with the blessings of the family, especially the immediate family, including parents.

Why keep it a secret? If it’s a good thing and if that is what one sincerely wants, why hide? However, if the person converting has a hidden agenda, then they will operate under the cover of darkness. This is the issue and surely that is not what the harvesters of the soul should encourage or be seen to encourage.

To take it further, if at all those who convert, feel or have been misled, they should be allowed to leave. There is no compulsion in religion and unto each his own religion.

This applies if one adheres to true teachings and not practice politics, which thrives on convenient interpretation or misinterpretation.

Anonymous #66797900: Also, there is the need to use and display their Muslim name on their IC and offices.

There are several Sikhs and Hindus, especially professionals like doctors and lawyers, who have converted but continue to use only their Sikh names. A number of them are lawyers. It makes one wonder as to why they are hiding their new identities.

During the Sikh games, we received complaints of so and so having converted and yet pretending to be a Sikh to represent a particular state or association.

On checking, the conversion has invariably been proved to be correct. The convert will then claim he is a practising Sikh, goes to temple, does service. But all this is wrong. Once you are converted to Islam, you cannot be a Sikh or Hindu at the same time.

Worst when they die. The Islamic religious department will turn up unannounced and claim the body, while the Sikh or Hindu family will be performing rites according to their religion. Ugly tussles ensue with heartaches around. If the family had knowledge of the person’s conversion, all this can be avoided. Damn these frauds.

I think the Islamic religious departments should check the activities of converts to ensure they do not cheat on their new religion. Many allegedly continue to eat haram food, drink liquor and pray at temples and churches.

There should be a place where we can report such illegal activities. Please advertise a hotline.

MacMac: Why one week, why not one month to sort out all the issues between the married couples? Singles can do so within a week.

Diamond Collector: What happens if either of the spouse informs, within a week, of his/her intention to convert to Islam?

Is it just like that or will either spouse have a mountainous climb to finally settle down in Islam. These details must be sorted out so that it is a win-win situation for both parties.

Senior: I agree. There should be no secret conversion. Islam is not a secretive religion.

Boeyks: A very valid comment indeed. Actions related to any religion should be open and not done in haste and secrecy, with all the affected parties being in the know and to give their blessings.

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