Both parents’ consent should be required to convert a minor

THE Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST) notes with alarm and regret the stand taken by the Attorney General’s Chambers over the lawsuit filed by M. Indira Gandhi and 13 others challenging provisions in several state enactments relating to the conversion of minors.

Senior federal counsel Ahmad Hanir Hambaly, appearing for the federal territories, submitted at the High Court on Feb 3 that a minor’s conversion to Islam requires the consent of only one parent or guardian despite the earlier unanimous decision in the Federal Court case of Indira Candhi v Director, Perak Islamic Religious Department, and 2 Others.