Malaysian Convert to Christianity Loses Case

Lina Joy, once called Aslina Jailani, fought for her conversion from Islam to Christianity to be officially recognised for six years. The 42-year-old grew up in a Muslim family and became a Christian at the age of 26.

The Malaysian authorities have refused to allow Lina Joy to remove the word "Islam" from the religion category on her government identity card. But as long as she is officially a Muslim, she cannot marry her Christian boyfriend.

Apostasy

Apostasy -- the renunciation of ones faith -- is banned by the Koran and strictly punishable under Sharia law. A professor at the Islamic University of Kuala Lumpur, Kamul Hassan explains that Islam does not allow anyone to compel another person to embrace Islam.

However, he says, "once you have entered Islam, you're not allowed to leave because the way Muslims see it, Islam is submission to God and you have agreed to come in."

To leave represents the "height of rebellion against the highest authority in the cosmos."

Capital punishment?

The opposition Pan Malaysian Islamic Party still favours the death penalty for apostasy. Lina Joy has already received death threats from radical Muslims. But Hassan says this is a throwback to the past when it was like treason to leave the religion -- treason against the state.

"In cases when people were so adamant although they were given time to repent, capital punishment could be given," he explains further. "But in the modern period, juries have expressed different views, so we're not talking about capital punishment in Malaysia."

Many converts to Christianity, especially women, have to lead a double life. Lina Joy was rejected by her family and had to resign from her job.

Christian-Muslim animosity

Kamal Hassan explains that this is because some groups, non-Muslims, have championed the rights of converts to maintain their new identity as Christians. "So, number one, this is new to the Malays and secondly it's seen as a Christian challenge to Islam."

He warns that if the matter is not tackled wisely, it could lead to unnecessary violence.

Malaysia's constitution protects freedom of religion but tensions are high in the country where Muslim ethnic Malays feel under threat, whereas non-Muslims feel their rights are not being taken into enough consideration.

About 60 percent of Malaysia's citizens are ethnic Malays and in accordance with the constitution they are Muslim. 19 percent are Buddhist, 9 percent Christian and 6 percent Hindu.