Couple Fight Over Son's Religion

[Guest guest]

KUALA LUMPUR (September 17, 2007): An ethnic Indian Hindu woman has

urged Malaysia's highest civil court to stop her Muslim husband from

converting their son to Islam against her wishes.

 

Subashini Rajasingam, an ethnic Indian Hindu married Saravanan

Thangathoray five years ago and the couple has two sons -- Dharvin

and Sharvind.

 

However, Subashini's husband told her last November that he had

converted to Islam.

 

Subashini attempted to commit suicide and was hospitalised. When she

returned home, she found that her husband had left with their son

Dharvin, whom he claimed had also converted to Islam.

 

The woman turned to the court to prevent her husband from converting

Sharvind and from seeking a divorce in an Islamic Shariah court

instead of a civil court.

 

However, the court of appeals ruled in March that Subashini should

argue her case in the Shariah court.

 

The federal court began hearing Subashini's appeal against the

earlier verdict on Sunday where her lawyers stated that one parent

cannot convert a child to Islam if the other parent objects.

 

The lawyers felt that a ruling from the Shariah court may affect

Subashini's rights.

 

" With respect, only this honorable court can ensure that no such

injustice occurs, " her lawyers said in a statement.

 

" The Shariah courts have no jurisdiction since (Subashini) is not a

person professing Islam, " they said.

 

Until the federal court rules on the case, Saravanan cannot convert

Sharvind, divorce his wife or seek custody of the kids.

 

Malaysia is a Muslim majority country where 60 per cent of the 27

million people are Muslims.

 

Indians, mostly Hindus, form 10 per cent of the population, while

Chinese who are either Buddhists or Christians form 25 per cent.

 

Source: Rediff India Abroad

URL: http://www.rediff.com///news/2007/sep/17couple.htm