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Muslim scholars won’t back down on Indira Gandhi case

KUALA LUMPUR — We are standing by what we said, the Malaysian Association of Muslim Scholars (PUM) insisted on Monday (Feb 5), despite being warned to “watch their words” for alleging there could be religious violence over the court decision on unilateral conversions.

Ms M. Indira Gandhi (right) looking at a picture of her youngest daughter, Prasana Diksa, whom she has not seen for nine years. Photo: The Malay Mail Online

Ms M. Indira Gandhi (right) looking at a picture of her youngest daughter, Prasana Diksa, whom she has not seen for nine years. Photo: The Malay Mail Online

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KUALA LUMPUR — We are standing by what we said, the Malaysian Association of Muslim Scholars (PUM) insisted on Monday (Feb 5), despite being warned to “watch their words” for alleging there could be religious violence over the court decision on unilateral conversions.

PUM president Abdul Halim Abd Kadir said he will never condone anyone leaving the religion and this is why he will not back down from his earlier statement on the Federal Court decision to nullify the conversion of Ms M. Indira Gandhi’s three children to Islam.

“I realise that I speak in a multicultural and multi-religious society but we cannot condone this (leaving Islam). I am simply carrying out my duty as a Muslim, to speak out against this,” Mr Halim told The Malaysian Insight.

PUM had raised the ire of police and other bodies when it urged the authorities to stop looking for Ms Indira’s ex-husband Muhammad Riduan Abdullah and their youngest daughter, Prasana Diksa, whom Indira has not seen for nine years.

PUM alleged that if the authorities go on with their search for Riduan and Prasana, this would possibly lead to religious violence.

Last week, the Federal Court ruled that Riduan’s decision to unilaterally convert the couple’s three children to Islam, was null and void.

The couple’s two older children, aged 20 and 19, are with Ms Indira. Riduan fled with Prasana after a bitter custody battle. His whereabouts remain unknown.

“I do not want to say anything further. But as a Muslim, I stand by my belief,” Mr Halim said.

“We definitely cannot allow children who had been converted to Islam to leave the faith,” he said.

Responding to PUM, Ms Indira pleaded that the issue of religion be put aside, adding that all she wanted was to see her youngest daughter.

“I know she is a Muslim now. I respect her decision, but as a mother I need to see and hold her,” Ms Indira said.

Inspector-General of Police Mohamad Fuzi Harun also said all parties should be careful with what they say when commenting on the Federal Court decision.

He advised the public not to make any kind of speculation, adding that police have deployed teams to locate Riduan.

“This is a sensitive matter. Assumptions can jeopardise public order and national security,” the IGP had said at a press conference after launching the road safety campaign “Ops Selamat 12” in conjunction with the Chinese New Year festive season yesterday. THE MALAYSIAN INSIGHT

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