Johor ruler orders Islamic affairs dept to probe woman in Punjab wedding

Johor ruler Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar has ordered the state's Islamic Affairs Department to probe claims that a Johorean woman had a wedding ceremony in India not in accordance with Islamic law.

The ruler said he was saddened by such claims and wanted the authorities to determine whether this was true through the woman's family and the Malaysian embassy in India.

"I believe we will all know the truth soon," Sultan Ibrahim said.

The ruler said that the woman was currently facing a trial by media and urged the public not to make conclusions prematurely.

"(The woman) has hitherto yet to declare her wish to leave Islam. If we are too hasty in judging her, we are making it difficult for her to return to her country.

"We will be creating a rift between her family here in Malaysia and in India," the sultan added.

The ruler advised the woman to only make decisions approved by her parents and to not violate Islamic norms.

Sultan Ibrahim added that he was confident the Johor Islamic Affairs Department and mufti's office will be able to provide the woman with all the necessary assistance to maintain her faith.

The recent wedding between an Indian athlete and a Malaysian woman had caused a storm on social media because photographs suggested that the ceremony was not conducted according to Islamic requirements.

There were also questions on whether the woman was still a Muslim. Apostasy in Malaysia is a punishable offence.

The Prime Minister Department's religious affairs unit has confirmed that it was probing the matter. 

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