The ruling by the Syariah High Court in Penang this morning is welcome news to hundreds of converts who want out of the faithIt is an open secret that most converts changed to the Muslim faith for reasons other than genuine love or belief in the religion.
Marriage was one common reason.
A misplaced notion that conversion and the use of of a Muslim name woul be advantageous to economic and social advancement was another reason.
Many converts have lost their initial enthusiasm over the years and have yearned to revert to their original religion.
However they found out much to their disappointment and changrin that converting to the Muslim religon was a one way street affair with no avenue open to convert back.
The Syariah court decision this morning has opened a way out.
It is left to be seen how tha Islamic fundamentalists and mullahs react to this latest breach of a hitherto writ cast in the holy Koran.
The penchant for hyperbole and rantings among the fundamentalists will ensure a strident and vocal backlash. Only rational voices like the MP for Shah Alam and the likes of him can bring sanity to what may otherwise turn out to bbe a local version of the Satanic Verses issue.
Marriage was one common reason.
A misplaced notion that conversion and the use of of a Muslim name woul be advantageous to economic and social advancement was another reason.
Many converts have lost their initial enthusiasm over the years and have yearned to revert to their original religion.
However they found out much to their disappointment and changrin that converting to the Muslim religon was a one way street affair with no avenue open to convert back.
The Syariah court decision this morning has opened a way out.
It is left to be seen how tha Islamic fundamentalists and mullahs react to this latest breach of a hitherto writ cast in the holy Koran.
The penchant for hyperbole and rantings among the fundamentalists will ensure a strident and vocal backlash. Only rational voices like the MP for Shah Alam and the likes of him can bring sanity to what may otherwise turn out to bbe a local version of the Satanic Verses issue.
