Malay Muslim Fanatics seize non muslim baby .. Options

[Romano]

Malaysia's Islamic officials seize baby from mother who sought a Hindu life

April 6, 2007

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia: Islamic authorities took away the baby of a Muslim woman who is living as a Hindu in defiance of the law in the latest case of religious conflict straining ties in multiethnic Malaysia, officials said Friday.

Revathi Masoosai's 15-month-old daughter was taken by the Islamic Religious Department in southern Malacca state on March 26 and handed to Revathi's Muslim mother, said department enforcement officer Mohamad Imran Ahmad.

"The baby's grandmother has custody of her for now," Mohamad Imran told The Associated Press.

Revathi, an ethnic Indian, is being held in a rehabilitation center run by Islamic authorities for her religious transgression. The baby was with Revathi's husband when she was seized. He has filed a police complaint, but it was not clear if he plans to take the case to court.

Meanwhile, the baby will stay with her grandmother. "When the baby's mother is released, she can try to regain custody if she wants to," said Mohamad Imran without elaborating.

The case, which was made public by the opposition Democratic Action Party on Thursday, highlights an increasing number of spats affecting the religious and family rights of the ethnic Indian and Chinese minorities.

Indians, who form about 8 percent of Malaysia's 26 million people, are mostly Hindus while some are Christians, Muslims and Sikhs.

Activists say a string of recent disputes have ended in favor of Muslims — who comprise nearly 60 percent of the population — and strained ethnic relations in this multicultural nation, which has enjoyed racial peace for nearly four decades.

Revathi, 29, was born to Indian Muslim parents who gave her a Muslim name, Siti Fatimah. However, Revathi claims she was raised as a Hindu by her grandmother and changed her name in 2001, said Chong Eng, an opposition member of Parliament.

Revathi married Suresh Veerappan in 2004 according to Hindu rites. The marriage has not been legally registered because Suresh would have had to convert to Islam first.

Revathi's official identification documents state she is Muslim because Malaysians who are born as Muslims cannot legally convert.

The Islamic Religious Department apparently learned of Revathi's case after she gave birth. Revathi was detained in January and taken to a rehabilitation center in central Malaysia where she is expected to be held until at least mid-April to undergo religious counseling, Chong said.

"Separating mother and child ... is inhuman," Chong said in a statement.

A custody battle would be complicated because Islamic officials and Revathi's mother would likely seek to try the case in Islamic Shariah court, which handles religious, family and personal law disputes involving Muslims.

Non-Muslims turn to civil courts to settle these issues. But the secular courts have generally avoided taking a position in such disputes between Muslims and non-Muslims, leaving it to the Shariah system, where verdicts have often favored Muslims.

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/04/06/...dy-Struggle.php

This post has been edited by Romano: Apr 6 2007, 10:58 PM

[Romano]

Malaysia's Islamic officials seize baby from mother who sought a Hindu life

April 6, 2007

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia: Islamic authorities took away the baby of a Muslim woman who is living as a Hindu in defiance of the law in the latest case of religious conflict straining ties in multiethnic Malaysia, officials said Friday.

Revathi Masoosai's 15-month-old daughter was taken by the Islamic Religious Department in southern Malacca state on March 26 and handed to Revathi's Muslim mother, said department enforcement officer Mohamad Imran Ahmad.

"The baby's grandmother has custody of her for now," Mohamad Imran told The Associated Press.

Revathi, an ethnic Indian, is being held in a rehabilitation center run by Islamic authorities for her religious transgression. The baby was with Revathi's husband when she was seized. He has filed a police complaint, but it was not clear if he plans to take the case to court.

Meanwhile, the baby will stay with her grandmother. "When the baby's mother is released, she can try to regain custody if she wants to," said Mohamad Imran without elaborating.

The case, which was made public by the opposition Democratic Action Party on Thursday, highlights an increasing number of spats affecting the religious and family rights of the ethnic Indian and Chinese minorities.

Indians, who form about 8 percent of Malaysia's 26 million people, are mostly Hindus while some are Christians, Muslims and Sikhs.

Activists say a string of recent disputes have ended in favor of Muslims — who comprise nearly 60 percent of the population — and strained ethnic relations in this multicultural nation, which has enjoyed racial peace for nearly four decades.

Revathi, 29, was born to Indian Muslim parents who gave her a Muslim name, Siti Fatimah. However, Revathi claims she was raised as a Hindu by her grandmother and changed her name in 2001, said Chong Eng, an opposition member of Parliament.

Revathi married Suresh Veerappan in 2004 according to Hindu rites. The marriage has not been legally registered because Suresh would have had to convert to Islam first.

Revathi's official identification documents state she is Muslim because Malaysians who are born as Muslims cannot legally convert.

The Islamic Religious Department apparently learned of Revathi's case after she gave birth. Revathi was detained in January and taken to a rehabilitation center in central Malaysia where she is expected to be held until at least mid-April to undergo religious counseling, Chong said.

"Separating mother and child ... is inhuman," Chong said in a statement.

A custody battle would be complicated because Islamic officials and Revathi's mother would likely seek to try the case in Islamic Shariah court, which handles religious, family and personal law disputes involving Muslims.

Non-Muslims turn to civil courts to settle these issues. But the secular courts have generally avoided taking a position in such disputes between Muslims and non-Muslims, leaving it to the Shariah system, where verdicts have often favored Muslims.

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/04/06/...dy-Struggle.php

[-=(-_-)=- HI-hit]

thats ridiculas

[Bhaskara]

That's so mean!! Malaysians, pls answer!

[singapak2]

another controversy in Malaysia.. whats next?

[firdausj]

So sad to say that Malaysia is the Insane Society .....

This post has been edited by firdausj: Apr 7 2007, 05:36 AM

[feleaz]

It's pathetic for someone to separate a child from his/her mothe unless the mother is unable to carry out her maternal duty. I dare say this incident is not gonna be the last one, there'll be more in the future.

[feleaz]

Why is this topic posted twice ?

[alibata]

Why is this topic posted twice ?

wat do you expect press freedom!!!
promoting religious tolerance and the
right to choose change religion the way
we like which is denied to a malaysian
national; as shown by ROMANO.

[fadlee]

wat do you expect press freedom!!!
promoting religious tolerance and the
right to choose change religion the way
we like which is denied to a malaysian
national; as shown by ROMANO.

hahahaha okay enuff enuff!! someone please put this thread to the serious talk section..

[Astromantic]

That's just fu-ked up.

[Goombaking209]

that is hella stupid. what do those fanatics hope to accomplish?

[pancaindera]

the religious authorities really have nothing better to do. stupid. crazy and maybe bored too.

some laws here really need to be changed to allow conversion. i think this is the root of these problems.

btw, i believe the baby is a muslim as her mother is muslim, so please change the title as it is misleading.

some comments from malaysian: http://malaysia-today.net/blog2006/newsncom.php?itemid=3695

[VAMAN]

THIS IS TOO MUCH TO HANDLE. I am well aware of the discrimination by malays on chinese and indian minorities. But this thing is inhuman.

[swingdoctor]

the religious authorities really have nothing better to do. stupid. crazy and maybe bored too.

some laws here really need to be changed to allow conversion. i think this is the root of these problems.

btw, i believe the baby is a muslim as her mother is muslim, so please change the title as it is misleading.

some comments from malaysian: http://malaysia-today.net/blog2006/newsncom.php?itemid=3695

I think it clearly indicates that the mother wishes to change religion. I don't think a 15 month child is able to express a choice on religion. As a result it should be the parent(s) of that child that chooses a religion(if any) for them.

[TheaterOfPain]

Allah told them.

[forrestcat]

This is indeed sad and I disagree with it.

But this is how the syariah laws of Malaysia works.

Muslim parents who dun teach their children about Islam could also have the children taken away from them..unless someone is cruel and heartless enuff to report to the religious authorities.

[swingdoctor]

This is indeed sad and I disagree with it.

But this is how the syariah laws of Malaysia works.

Muslim parents who dun teach their children about Islam could also have the children taken away from them..unless someone is cruel and heartless enuff to report to the religious authorities.

But this is the issue, is this woman Muslim? She has never lived a life as a Muslim and clearly doesn't want to be one. At the very least the Syariah laws need to be toned down, or dumped all together from having any legal standing.

[forrestcat]

I believe this matter occurs bacause the Muslim side of the family reported to the religious authority. It is said that the child is with his grandparents which I believe are Muslims.

[swingdoctor]

I believe this matter occurs bacause the Muslim side of the family reported to the religious authority. It is said that the child is with his grandparents which I believe are Muslims.

Thats true her parents, who did not bring up their own child as a Muslim and instead left their child with her maternal grandmother who brought her up as a Hindu. How hypocritical of the baby's grandparents reporting their child as to how she is bringing up her child when they didn't do the same.

But whatever it is the Syariah court should not have the power to remove a child from its mother no matter what the circumstances. This is a terrible thing that has happened. To decide if this is fair all you need to do is ask yourself what if it was you and your religion? For the Muslims who defend this action, how would they react if it was them, their child and their religion?