Prime Minister, Dato’ Seri Mohammad Najib Tun Abdul Razak, made a statement about a bill to amend the Law Reform (marriage and divorce) Act 1976 in the parliament. Unlike the private member’s bill proposed by Dato’ Seri Abdul Hadi, this bill got a lot of attention. The attention was positive, from the liberals and some political parties including the opposition.
A former law minister even said that this bill will pave the way to end unilateral conversions. I touched the issue of unilateral conversions in a previous article, hence we will not discuss the issue. A member of parliament from the opposition also welcomed the bill. It is indeed rare to see DAP supporting a move from the government, unless of course it can benefit them one way or another.
The fact that they expect to end the unilateral conversion in steps is clear. First, a bill to amend marriages, and then the abolishment of a parent’s right to choose the religion of their child or children. A liberal group even wants the Malay translation of the Federal Constitution to be “corrected”.
Apparently to them the word “parent” and “parents” mean the same thing. They might be oblivious to the vast vocabulary of the English language, however they are not so oblivious when it comes to defaming Islam. Once again, I would like to clarify that the word “parent” is singular and the plural is “parents”.
Some put aside the basis of democracy, i.e. the rights of the majority. The right of the majority to change rules, to amend policies, to direct to developments in a country etc. are forgotten by those who won the elections through the democratic process.
Democracy is about following the majority. In the parliament, the majority sets the pace for national and/or domestic development. But when it comes to religion, democracy is thrown away and an autocratic stance is taken. The government is black mailed, though the blackmailing is insignificant as far as the outcome is concerned but an act of arrogance nevertheless.
Some of the government MPs threatened to resign if the private member’s bill pertaining Act 355 goes through. These are the same MPs who were elected in Malay Muslim majority seats by the “majority”. Apparently “majority” is a word used based on needs. If a majority exists but it’s not in the interest of some, then it should not go through as the basic rights of the minority will be affected.
Apart from the loaded fallacy, in very simple words this is sheer hypocrisy. When the majority seeks something, it is against the basic rights of the minority, and when the minority wants something it is inline with their basic rights. Some people need to be told the meaning of “democracy” and “rights”.
It is indeed sad, how the minority is allowed to force its views on the majority in the name of rights, however when the same is used by the majority it is a different story. The majority seems to be at the loosing end of this battle of equality, democracy, rights, freedom, liberalism and so on. I am not sure which is worse, misrepresenting democracy or hypocrisy in the name of “human rights”?
Either way, it has to be understood that the bill to reform the marriage and divorce act is for civil marriages. Hence when someone reverts to Islam and would like to dissolve the marriage, till now there is no proper channel to resolve the disputes that arise. It is not a step towards the end of unilateral conversions.
Rehan Ahmad Bin Jamaluddin Ahmad
Research Fellow, Institut Kajian Strategik Islam Malaysia
No one is stopping spouses from converting, but is unethical for a parent to convert underaged children behind another parent’s back. And this is what has been happening.
Some hypocritical political leaders, anti-Islam political parties and NGOs are trying so hard to move the goalposts to offer non-Muslim parents an intentional advantage over Muslim parents thus exposing non-Muslims and hypocrites’ own highly biased, hypocritical and bigoted attitude and personality.
They are shamelessly trying to change the laws to favor non-Muslims over Muslims. The endless immoral provocation and persecution of Muslim parents are like non-Muslims and hypocrites asking a Muslim to enter a boxing match with the condition that Muslim’ s hands must be tied securely during the boxing match ! The Muslim would clearly become a punching bag for the non-Muslim parent!
They are robbing Muslim parents who are the majority in this country of their right to raise their children as Muslims. By denying the right of the majority , they are defying, trampling and opposing democracy !
It seems to us that the hypocritical political leaders, anti-Islam political parties and NGOs are speaking with a forked tongue to deceive and oppress Muslim parents but wise Muslims will not be fooled by their invalid, baseless and illogical assumptions and arguments that do not hold water!
The undeniable fact is Islam respect religious freedom of non-Muslims but Islam will never allows any Muslim to commit apostasy! And it is the duty of Muslim parents to raise their children as good Muslims who practice Islam as their way of life .
Allah (SWT) states in the Quran about the need to raise families in the light of their end destination, which may be translated in the following words:
“O you who believe! Ward off yourselves and your families against a Fire (Hell) whose fuel is men and stones, over which are (appointed) angels stern (and) severe, who disobey not, (from executing) the commands they receive from Allah, but do that which they are commanded” (Tahrim 66:6).
Translation:
Wahai orang-orang yang beriman! Peliharalah diri kamu dan keluarga kamu dari neraka yang bahan-bahan bakarannya: manusia dan batu (berhala); neraka itu dijaga dan dikawal oleh malaikat-malaikat yang keras kasar (layanannya); mereka tidak menderhaka kepada Allah dalam segala yang diperintahkanNya kepada mereka, dan mereka pula tetap melakukan segala yang diperintahkan. (At-Tahriim 66:6)
Children have the right, therefore, to be raised as responsible Muslim adults and parents must ensure that right appropriately. Parents must be conscious and take an active role in guiding their children and families on the path of truth.
The Prophet Muhammad (s) said: “Every one of your (people) is responsible, and everyone is responsible for whatever falls under his responsibility. A man is like a shepherd of his own family, and he is responsible for them” (Bukhari and Muslim).
Dear Muslims,
After observing and witnessing the anti-Islam attitude of the hypocritical leaders and secular and liberal political parties, we will not vote them into the government lest they would insult and destroy Islam and oppress Muslims after they have gained political power.
And never will the Jews or the Christians approve of you until you follow their religion. Say, “Indeed, the guidance of Allah is the [only] guidance.” If you were to follow their desires after what has come to you of knowledge, you would have against Allah no protector or helper. Al-Baqarah : 257
Allah is the ally of those who believe. He brings them out from darknesses into the light. And those who disbelieve – their allies are Taghut. They take them out of the light into darknesses. Those are the companions of the Fire; they will abide eternally therein.
Let us vote the Islamic party PAS during the coming 14th general election so that PAS can form an Islamic federal government in order to protect the rights of Muslims as the majority in this country.
Nonmuslim spouses affected by this ruling have problems bcos when they want to see/take care of their kids, they r viewed with suspicion. They want to teach their children their belief too. If they r not allowed to do that since their kids r converted to islam, then it is difficult. This whole force is causing problem to them. U have to see that
Converted spouse is using islam to hide in syariah court’s pocket n use administrative/legal loophole to gain custody of kids. Thats why nonmuslim spousess r in a quandary.
And ISMA still say nonmuslims wont b affected by syariah law ?
CORRECTION to my comment September 6, 2016 at 2:43 pm
Dear Muslims,
After observing and witnessing the anti-Islam attitude of the hypocritical leaders and secular and liberal political parties, we will not vote them into the government lest they would insult and destroy Islam and oppress Muslims after they have gained political power.
And never will the Jews or the Christians approve of you until you follow their religion. Say, “Indeed, the guidance of Allah is the [only] guidance.” If you were to follow their desires after what has come to you of knowledge, you would have against Allah no protector or helper. Al-Baqarah : 120
Allah is the ally of those who believe. He brings them out from darknesses into the light. And those who disbelieve – their allies are Taghut. They take them out of the light into darknesses. Those are the companions of the Fire; they will abide eternally therein. Al-Baqarah : 257
Let us vote the Islamic party PAS during the coming 14th general election so that PAS can form an Islamic federal government in order to protect the rights of Muslims as the majority in this country.
Ibnu:
‘correction’ doesnt alter the fact that you have limited vocab.
try again, pal!
The so-called ‘farha’ has written 13 words in his or her comment (6:37 am) above just to prove to the world that ‘farha’ has unlimited vocab.
Oh what an achievement by a bigot who is so offended by the word ‘bigot’ ! I can’t stop laughing now ! Ha…ha…ha…ha…ha…… You make my day ! Oh thank you so much !
CORRECTION to my comment September 6, 2016 at 2:43 pm
Allah is the ally of those who believe. HE BRINGS THEM OUT FROM DARKNESS INTO THE LIGHT. And those who disbelieve – their allies are Taghut . They take them out of the light into darkness. Those are the companions of the Fire; they will abide eternally therein. Al-Baqarah : 257
Note: As for the Shari’ah definition of Taghoot (Taghut), it is that which is worshiped, obeyed, submitted to, or followed other then Allah (swt). This may include Shaytan, idols, stones, sun, stars, angels, or even human beings. Likewise saints, graves, pirs, rulers and leaders, other ruling systems besides Islam may also be falsely worshipped and made into Taghoot.