CPI collates from various Media sources reports and commentaries on some current Inter-faith issues. It is important that Malaysians, while urged by the Government to follow the Rukunegara’s first precept of “Belief in God”, the citizenry comprising different faiths and ethnic origins and religious traditions, are truly empowered to practice in word and deed their beliefs in a parliamentary democratic system headed by a Monarch that has been adopted by Malaysia on gaining Independence some 52 years ago. It’s also CPI’s wishes that readers to our site are encouraged to discuss inter-faith issues in a rational manner with an open mind with mutual respect for other points of view. — YL Chong, Editor, CPI
Court grants leave to review word “Allah” in Herald
Written by Bernama
Published by theSun Web edition
KUALA LUMPUR (April 24, 2009) : The Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur was given leave by the High Court here today to quash the Home Ministry’s decision prohibiting the use of the word “Allah” in the Herald Catholic Weekly.
Archbishop Datuk Murphy Nicholas Xavier Pakiam was also granted leave to apply for nine declarations, including to declare that the decision of Home Ministry and the government of Malaysia was illegal and ultra vires the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984.
His counsel, S.Selvarajah, told reporters that Justice Lau Bee Lan granted the leave under Order 53 of the Rules of the High Court in chambers.
Senior federal counsel Suzana Atan, for the ministry and government, did not object to the application.
Lau also fixed May 28 to hear the application for a stay of the Home Ministry’s decision.
On Feb 16, this year, Pakiam, as publisher of the Herald, filed for a judicial review to quash the decision of the respondents dated Jan 7, 2009 that the applicant’s publication permit for the period Jan 1, 2009 until Dec 31, 2009, is subject to the condition that he be prohibited from using the word “Allah” in the Herald.
The other seven declarations sought are:
>> That the applicant has the constitutional right to use the word “Allah” in the Herald in the exercise of his right that other religions other than Islam may be practised in peace.
>> That Article 3(1) of the Federal Constitution does not empower the respondents to prohibit the applicant from using the word “Allah” in the Herald.
>> That the applicant has the constitutional right to use the word “Allah” in the weekly in the exercise of his right to freedom of speech and expression.
>> That the applicant has the constitutional right to use the word “Allah” in the Herald in the exercise of his freedom of religion which includes the right to manage its own religious affairs.
>> That the applicant has the constitutional right to use the word “Allah” in the Herald in the exercise his right in respect of education of the Catholic congregation in the Christian religion.
>> That the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 does not authorise the respondents to prohibit the applicant from using the word “Allah” in the Herald and
>> That the word “Allah” is not exclusive to the religion of Islam. — BERNAMA
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Groups welcome ‘common religion’ ruling for children
Published by the Star
25 April, 2009
PETALING JAYA: Several religious bodies, political bureaus and non-governmental organisations commended the Cabinet on its decision that children of divorced parents be brought up in the common religion at the time of marriage when one parent converts to another religion.
Malaysian Interfaith Network coordinator Dr Jonathan Gurusamy said religion was a personal choice and children should be given the opportunity to choose only when they were old enough to make sound judgments.
“The Cabinet made a wise and just choice,??? he said.
Buddhist Chief High Priest of Malaysia Venerable K. Sri Dhammaratana said that children needed to understand the religion they were embracing. “Mutual consent from parents is also needed,??? said Dhammaratana.
Malaysian Buddhist Association assistant secretary Lim Tien Phong said the decision reflected the broad-mindedness of the Government.
“ It complements the 1Malaysia concept as it will bring the people together by reducing the religious tensions that we face,??? he said.
National Evangelical Christian Fellowship secretary-general Sam Ang hoped that the Attorney-General would come up with proper guidelines that would be fully implemented.
The Joint Action Group (JAG) for Gender Equality said the Cabinet’s decision was a bold and sensible move as it would put an end to unilateral conversion of a child.
Speaking on behalf of JAG, Women’s Aid Organisation executive director Ivy Josiah Josiah, said: “The Cabinet’s decision reflects a principle that there cannot be a unilateral decision when converting a child. It also recognises that civil marriages are binding.???
However, Josiah said one should not forget about the divorce, maintenance and inheritance issues which needed to be addressed should a spouse convert to another religion.
“We maintain and support any person’s right to convert. But the conversion should not have a retrogressive effect on the non-converting spouse or take away their rights.???
Sisters in Islam’s programme manager Norhayati Kaprawi said the Cabinet’s “bold and progressive position??? was a step in the right direction towards fostering a harmonious relationship among people of all faiths.
MCA Legal Bureau chairman Datuk Leong Tang Chong said the decision would alleviate the constant conflict of jurisdiction between civil and syariah courts.
The groups also agreed that if both parents were free-thinkers at the time of marriage, then their children shouldn’t be forced to convert if one of them changed religion.
Lawyers A. Sivanesan and M. Kulasegaran, who are assisting kindergarten teacher Indira Gandhi in her child custody case, said the decision on conversion should be made into law.
“A directive has no legal effect in the court of law. It may be persuasive in court but it has no legal effect,??? said Sivanesan.
Tanjung Malim MP Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan said the practice by a partner to use religion to gain an unfair advantage over an estranged spouse was an abuse of religion.
International Movement for a Just World president Dr Chandra Muzaffar hoped the sensible proposals would be supported by the state muftis and other religious authorities.
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Teacher gets custody of children who were converted by hubby
By Clara Chooi, The Star
25 April, 2009
IPOH: The High Court here has granted kindergarten teacher M. Indira Gandhi interim custody of her three children and an injunction preventing her husband from entering their home.
It is the first victory for the 34-year-old woman who is battling to have her children returned to her and to ensure that they remained Hindus, and not Muslim converts.
Judicial Commissioner Ridwan Ibrahim, who presided over the matter in chambers yesterday, also ordered the police to assist Indira Gandhi in carrying out the court orders.
He set May 12 for an inter parte hearing of the matter to allow Indira Gandhi’s husband, K. Patmanathan, 40, to give his side of the story.
Indira Gandhi’s counsel Augustine Anthony said that the matter of the children’s religion would be handled at a later date, pending the court’s decision after May 12.
A tearful Indira Gandhi said she was happy with the outcome and would be happier once all her children were with her.
In Indira Gandhi’s supporting affidavit, she claimed that on April 4, Patmanathan stormed into her house in First Garden here, used force against her and their children Tevi Darsiny, 12, Karan Dinish, 11, and Prasana Diksa, one, before taking off with the three children’s birth certificates and the youngest daughter.
Indira Gandhi later discovered her husband had converted to Islam on March 11 and was now known as Mohd Ridzuan Abdullah.
Indira Gandhi also claimed her children’s schools were notified by the Syariah Department that her children had been converted and now had Muslim names.
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