When the High Court granted S Deepa custody of
her two children, she had no immediate plan to revoke their unilateral
conversion to Islam by her ex-husband Izwan Abdullah.
But now that Izwan has taken away their six-year-old son from her house in Jelebu without her permission, Deepa has resolved to act.
"When they turn 18, they (the children) can choose what religion they want to (follow). I have nothing against Islam, because there are Muslims in my family too," she told Malaysiakini, referring to her mother, Siti Aishah, who is a convert.
Deepa, a Hindu, was responding to Izwan's claims that he took away their son in order to protect the child from being turned against Islam.
She said her lawyers are filing a case against Izwan for contempt of court.
Deepa, a clerk, has gone into hiding “before Izwan takes away my nine-year-old daughter” as well.
She
pointed out that High Court judge Justice Zabariah Mohd Yusof had only
decided to grant custody to her after interviewing the children.
"She asked who they wanted to be with. Only after that did she decide to give custody to me," said Deepa, 30.
She claimed that this was not the first time Izwan has taken the children away from her. Although she has “lodged numerous police reports”, no action has been taken.
Last Monday, the High Court had granted Deepa a divorce and custody of the children, but she is required to pursue a separate case to revoke the children's conversion.
Izwan, formerly known as N Viran, converted to Islam early last year and then converted the two children to Islam last April without Deepa’s consent.
When Deepa tried to revoke their conversion, religious authorities in the state invited her to convert to Islam as well, she said.
Deepa and Izwan, also 30, have been estranged for a few years. He now works with an Islamic NGO called Kasih Sayang.
But now that Izwan has taken away their six-year-old son from her house in Jelebu without her permission, Deepa has resolved to act.
"When they turn 18, they (the children) can choose what religion they want to (follow). I have nothing against Islam, because there are Muslims in my family too," she told Malaysiakini, referring to her mother, Siti Aishah, who is a convert.
Deepa, a Hindu, was responding to Izwan's claims that he took away their son in order to protect the child from being turned against Islam.
She said her lawyers are filing a case against Izwan for contempt of court.
Deepa, a clerk, has gone into hiding “before Izwan takes away my nine-year-old daughter” as well.
She
pointed out that High Court judge Justice Zabariah Mohd Yusof had only
decided to grant custody to her after interviewing the children."She asked who they wanted to be with. Only after that did she decide to give custody to me," said Deepa, 30.
She claimed that this was not the first time Izwan has taken the children away from her. Although she has “lodged numerous police reports”, no action has been taken.
Last Monday, the High Court had granted Deepa a divorce and custody of the children, but she is required to pursue a separate case to revoke the children's conversion.
Izwan, formerly known as N Viran, converted to Islam early last year and then converted the two children to Islam last April without Deepa’s consent.
When Deepa tried to revoke their conversion, religious authorities in the state invited her to convert to Islam as well, she said.
Deepa and Izwan, also 30, have been estranged for a few years. He now works with an Islamic NGO called Kasih Sayang.
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