THE PAS Ulama Council has urged the Government to prioritise the welfare of the three children of single mother Loh Siew Hong and make sure that they are not forced to become apostates.
The council also suggested that the Government set up a Religious Mediation Committee to find solutions to these concerns and to ensure that the welfare of children cared for by non-Muslim mothers or guardians are given priority in terms of nutrition and education especially in relation to the preservation of faith.
“The PAS Ulama Council urges the government and all parties to give priority to the welfare of Loh’s three children who have chosen Islam as their faith so that they will not be disturbed and forced to return to apostasy,” the council was reported as saying by Malaysiakini.
“Muslims have been patient for a long time and we do not want the religious harmony guaranteed by the Federal Constitution to inflame the sentiments and anger of Muslims.”
Yesterday (Feb 21) the High Court has allowed the habeas corpus application for Loh to be with her three children.
The three siblings were abducted in 2019 and her ex-husband Nagahswaran Muniandy – who is now in jail on drug-related charges – had unilaterally converted the children to Islam without Loh’s knowledge.
On the topic of religious conversions, the ulama council further urged the religious authorities in each state to immediately amend the conditions of religious conversion.
This is so that conversions can be carried out with the consent of either the mother or father and not requiring the consent of both as stipulated in some states, it added.
“The PAS Ulama Council urges that parties with personal interests – whether on religious or political platforms – to respect the right of children to choose Islam as their religion without prejudice to any party that provides assistance and welfare to children,” it said.
“The children are throwing negative accusations that there is coercion involved when it comes to their embracing Islam while their conversion was done with their consent and the consent of the children’s father.
“The PAS Ulama Council therefore calls on all parties to respect the position of Islam as a federal religion and the jurisdiction of the states in the administration of Islamic affairs.” – Feb 22, 2022
Main photo credit: Malaysiakini
