KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA, April 23, 2009: Just days after an ethnic Indian Hindu woman challenged her estranged husband’s move to change their kids’ religion to Islam, Malaysia has banned conversion of children without both parents’ consent. Under the new decision, such children must now be raised in the religion that both parents followed at the time of marriage. Also, any spouse who has been converted into another religion will still have to fulfill his or her marriage responsibilities according to civil marriage laws.
The new decision will significantly help to ease inter-faith conflicts that have strained race relations. Legal spats have mushroomed in this multi-cultural country, with Hindus and other non-Muslims complaining of discrimination.