'Hindu' student made to take Islamic Studies, father seeks Edu Ministry's help
A Grab driver has alleged that his 'Hindu' daughter is being forced to take Islamic Studies in school, even as a bid by the child's Hindu-born mother to renounce Islam remains under appeal.
As such, P Manivanan, 50, has urged the Education Ministry to intervene to resolve the dispute over nine-year-old M Luganeshvari's status...
A Grab driver has alleged that his "Hindu" daughter is being forced to take Islamic Studies in school, even as a bid by the child's Hindu-born mother to renounce Islam remains under appeal.
As such, P Manivanan, 50, has urged the Education Ministry to intervene to resolve the dispute over nine-year-old M Luganeshvari's status.
Manivanan told Malaysiakini that his wife, Paramaswari was born Hindu before being converted to Islam by her parents when she was three years old.
She was given the name Siti Fatimah Paramaswari.
"However, she left her home when she was 18, and married me. She has also applied to the Shah Alam Syariah Court to have her status as a Muslim annulled.
"The issue now is that the National Registration Department (NRD) has declared my daughter as a Muslim,” said Manivanan.
“When she was born, we told the NRD officer on duty that my wife has applied to revert to being a Hindu, and the said officer registered the child (then) as a Hindu. However, when the birth certificate came out, my daughter's religion was stated as Islam.
"Worse still, my name was not included in the certificate at all. In the column where the father's name is supposed to be, it is stated 'information not obtained'," Manivanan narrated.
He noted that he had married his wife according to Hindu rites, and that they have a valid marriage certificate issued by a commissioner of oaths.
According to Manivanan, due to the dispute over Luganeshvari's birth certificate, Tamil schools refused to enrol the child and Manivanan had to register her in a national school, where she was forced to take up Islamic Studies.
"My daughter has never followed Islamic teachings since she was born. We respect Islam, and I have many Muslim friends. But this pertains to our freedom of religion, as enshrined in the Federal Constitution.
"Furthermore, my wife has already applied to renounce Islam, and come back to Hinduism. I appeal to the Education Ministry to assist us in this matter. I appeal for my child not to be forced to take up Islamic Studies until my wife's case is resolved," said Manivanan.
According to him, he had tried putting up the appeal regarding the subject to his daughter's school, only to be asked for the child to be sent to a different school instead.
He said that the NRD in Putrajaya told him that Luganeshvari was registered as Muslim, in accordance with her mother's religion.
"What right does NRD have to decide on my behalf? And why was my name excluded? I challenge the NRD to explain the exclusion of my name, when I have a valid marriage certificate. They should have waited until my wife's case is resolved, and not make hasty decisions," said Manivanan.
He added that he had lodged a police report against the department for allegedly including false details in his child's birth certificate, without his approval.
When contacted, Education Minister Maszlee Malik gave his assurance that the matter will be looked into.
"I take note of this issue and will get my ministry officers to examine the case immediately," Maszlee said.
Malaysiakini is also contacting the NRD for comments on the case.
Editor's Note: An earlier copy of this article cited P Manivanan as saying that his child was threatened with expulsion. We regret this error.
Is this is what they meant by hook or by crook ? Go for quantity not quality. Trap unsuspecting people into submission. Being the majority , might is right. Karma awaits them for God is just for everyone. A couple of days ago UAE welcomed Pope Francis with an open arm but here it is religious bigotry. There is no bad religion ,only bad people .
Siti Fatimah Parameswari? Whoever gave that name to the baby? It is such an insult. They are legally married couple with valid marriage certificate and the baby bears her mother's name? Father's whereabouts unknown? It is an insult to the mother to say that the father is unknown. Get rid of those staff who did this rubbish.
Blame the stupid parents,why blaming the authorities?
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