IPOH: Perak Mufti Tan Sri Harussani Zakaria today urged the government to withdraw its decision to table the Act 164 Bill Law Marriage and Divorce 1976 to avoid confusion among muallaf (Muslim converts) married to Muslim-born partners.
Harussani said the bill, which is to be tabled for a second reading in Parliament this week, deals with the issue of the religion of children whose muallaf-Muslim parents file for divorce.
''I was informed that in the proposed amendment of Bill Law 164, the (children of a divorcing muallaf-Muslim couple cannot) be registered as ‘Muslim’ by either parent, whether ex-husband or ex-wife, except with the parents' consent, once the child reaches 18 years of age,'' he said.
Harussani was speaking to reporters during a press conference at his office at the Darul Ridzuan Islam Complex here yesterday.
''This is a serious issue which is against the constitution, and Islam as the official religion in the constitution. It is also against the Syarak law.
''When we commit something that is against Islam, it means that we oppose Allah's law,'' he said.
Harussani said the move to table the bill can be seen as belittling and insulting to Islam.