Religion Roundup
Malaysian Islamic Body Rejects Proposed Conversion Restriction
Associated Press
May 1, 2008
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia - Islamic authorities have rejected a proposal by Malaysia's prime minister that would have required non-Muslims to tell their families before converting to Islam.
The failure of converts to inform their families has led to disputes. Islamic officials have sometimes seized bodies for Muslim funerals, while non-Muslim relatives insisted the deceased never converted.
Ethnic Chinese and Indians make up more than 30 percent of Malaysia's 27 million people and are mainly Buddhist, Christian and Hindu. They complain that court decisions in religious disputes favor Muslims, who account for more than 60 percent and are mainly ethnic Malay.
Islam is the official Malaysian religion. Non-Muslims can practice their religion, but often lose out in interfaith disputes involving Islam.
Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.
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