Malaysia – Woman’s Conversion to Christianity vs. Islamic Law
Author: Womens UN Report Network
Date: June 26, 2006
Christianity-
Federal Court to Decide
Zenit.org (26.06.2006) / HRWF Int. (27.06.2006) –
Website: http://www.hrwf.org – Email:
info@hrwf.net –
campaign to support a woman whose conversion to Christianity is prohibited by
law.
Lina Joy converted to Christianity in 1998,
and applied to the National Registration Department to officially change her
religion from Muslim to Christian, reported AsiaNews.
She was refused
then, and subsequently in a court of appeal, because as an ethnic Malay she is
legally Muslim, and prohibited from changing religions.
AsiaNews reported that two legal systems
coexist in Malaysia: one based on Islam and the other on the
constitution.
The constitution guarantees freedom of
religion, but Islamic law prohibits conversion to any other
religion.
Religious issues involving Malays, including
conversions to other religions, fall under the jurisdiction of Islamic courts
and not under the country’s general laws.
AsiaNews also reports that if Lina Joy is not
recognized as a Christian, she can only marry a Muslim in a Muslim ceremony, and
will be subject to Islamic family and inheritance laws.
Bishop Paul Tan Chee Ing of Melaka-Johor,
chairman of the Christian Federation of Malaysia, asked Christians to support
Lina Joy with prayers, reported AsiaNews.
The prelate asked the faithful to call on God
to support Lina Joy, whatever the judges’ verdict might be, and grant the judges
the wisdom they need to pass judgment in the case, and Malaysian Prime Minister
Abdullah Badawi the strength to “uphold the constitution.”
It is expected that the federal court will
decide this week if the law can or cannot recognize her
conversion.
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