Malaysia – Another Case Of Muslim Trying To Renounce Faith

Malaysia is seeing another case of a converted Muslim woman trying to renounce her Islamic faith.  20 years ago, Banggarma Subramaniam and her 3 siblings ended up at a government orphanage in Penang state.  At the tender age of 7, Banggarma Subramaniam was converted to Islam by welfare officials.  That was in 1989.  Now 27-year old Banggarma Subramaniam wants to be recognized as a Hindu

What makes Banggarma Subramaniam fight for recognition as a Hindu now?   Banggarma Subramaniam ran away from the orphanage at the age of 16. Two years later, in 2001, she got married.  After the traditional Hindu wedding ceremony, Banggarma Subramaniam returned to the orphanage to collect her identity card and other documents.  That’s when things began to go horribly wrong for Banggarma Subramaniam.  

Banggarma Subramaniam was told that she was converted to the Islamic faith and is now a Muslim.  And according to the Muslim conversion certificate, she even has a Muslim name.  Banggarma Subramaniam the Hindu became Siti Hasnah Vanga-rama Adullah the Muslim.

As a Muslim convert, Banggarma Subramaniam cannot register her marriage unless her Hindu husband also converts to the Islamic faith.  And since she can’t register her marriage, Banggarma Subramaniam also cannot name her husband as the father of her 2 children in their birth certificates.

Banggarma Subramaniam has engaged a lawyer to resolve her problem.  Lawyer Gooi Hsiao Leung said: “The conversion itself from the start was illegal. She wants to restore her Hindu faith and practice her religion freely.”

But why is her conversion illegal?  This is because the Penang Islamic laws state that minors below the age of 18 must have the consent of their parents before they can be converted to Islam.  The welfare department says that Banggarma Subramaniam was converted at the age of 1 in 1983 by her father.  But Gooi Hsiao Leung disputed this, pointing out that her conversion certificate was dated 1989 when Banggarma Subramaniam was 7 years old. That was the year she was admitted to the orphanage.

So can Banggarma Subramaniam simply renounce Islam?  If she does that, Banggarma Subramaniam will be charged with apostasy, and can be punished with both a fine and imprisonment.

Malaysia’s Malay Muslims account for approximately 60% of its 28 million people.  Cases like that of Banggarma Subramaniam are causing unease and disquiet among the other races/religions.  The Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Toaoism said that Banggarma Subramaniam “should have complete freedom to choose her own religion without having to go through any procedure or counseling.”  It also calls for legislative reforms to “ensure that Islam, and Islamic law, is not forced upon people like Banggarma who do not profess themselves as Muslim.”

What will be the outcome of this case?  We await the decision.

Earlier post

Malaysia – Syariah Court Allows Woman To Leave Islam
German Muslim Woman Turns Apostate