Gov’t to appeal against Siti Fatimah Tan renouncing Islam
Posted on May 18, 2008
Filed Under Religion News |
When the Penang Syariah Court allowed Siti Fatimah Tan to renounce Islam (re Malaysiakini news) this is what Datuk Ahmad Zahid, minister in charge of religious affairs in the Prime Minister’s Department said: “There was no law at the federal level to bar a convert from renouncing Islam”.
And guess what that same minister is saying now?
The Malaysian government has said it would challenge a court decision allowing a Chinese woman to renounce Islam and revert to Buddhism.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the court verdict was not final and an appeal before the higher court was almost complete.
He noted that the court decision favouring the woman, Tan Ean Huan - who called herself Siti Fatimah Tan Abdullah as a Muslim - was protested by Islamist groups including a Kuala Lumpur-based political group, Hizbut Tahrir.
Full story at the Deccan Herald
The government is challenging the Syariah Court’s decision! I’m not a lawyer, but how is it that a group like Hizbut Tahrir and the government can challenge the decision of the Syariah court? Was either a party to Tan Ean Huan’s case? On what basis can Hizbut Tahrir and the government challenge the court’s decision?
Datuk Ahmad Zahid himself said that there was no federal law barring a convert from renouncing Islam. So how is it that the government is now involving itself in this case?
Yesterday the Prime Minister said “[T]he constitution guarantees the freedom to practise any faith” and that “the government has engaged… with various religious groups in the country to better understand their needs while strengthening ties” (re Malaysiakini news)
How can people like Tan Ean Huan be said to be free to practise a religion of her choice when the government has taken upon itself to prevent her from doing so, that is, by challenging the Syariah Court’s decision to renounce Islam?
“[T]he government has engaged… with various religious groups in the country to better understand their needs while strengthening ties”? Hah!
http://puteri.us/2008/05/18/govt-to-appeal-against-siti-fatimah-tan-renouncing-islam/-----------------
Appeal against woman renouncing Islam in Malaysia - Truly Asia!
Have you seen those Malaysia Truly Asia commercials - you are really lead to believe that the country has a progressive attitude and is open and accepting of all cultures - it presents itself as - truly Asia. Did you notice that you never see women wearing the Islamic headscarf - in those commercials - so while promoting a multi-ethic/cultural environment – in reality that country practises the opposite. And the screws are getting tighter and tighter - this being only one of the latest in a string of Islamization clampdowns - for ex. Malaysia women may have to get permission - to travel abroad just as the women in Saudi Arabia do.
Originally a Buddhist this woman joined Islam because she was in love - but to leave she may have to spend time in prison - a warning to those bitten by the Islamic love bug - attempting to leave Islam may cause you your freedom - your children and possibly your life.
The Malaysian government has said it would challenge a court decision allowing Tan Ean Huan, a Chinese woman who called herself Siti Fatimah Tan Abdullah as a Muslim , to renounce Islam and revert to Buddhism.
The Malaysian government has said it would challenge a court decision allowing a Chinese woman to renounce Islam and revert to Buddhism.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the court verdict was not final and an appeal before the higher court was almost complete.
He noted that the court decision favouring the woman, Tan Ean Huan - who called herself Siti Fatimah Tan Abdullah as a Muslim - was protested by Islamist groups including a Kuala Lumpur-based political group, Hizbut Tahrir.
The group on Friday submitted a memorandum protesting the court's ruling, the New Straits Times said on Sunday.
Pending an appeal, these groups should respect the Penang Syariah Court's decision, the minister said.
The court, interpreting Islamic jurisprudence, decided on a two-year old case earlier this month, saying it had no choice but to allow the woman's appeal.
The woman, who embraced Islam to be able to marry an Iranian who left her after a few months, said she had never really practised Islam's various rituals.
Source: Deccan Herald
http://islamizationwatch.blogspot.com/2008/05/appeal-against-woman-renouncing-islam.html