In April of 2013, an estranged husband, who converted from Hinduism to Islam in prison, secretly took his two children (aged 5 and 8) to an Islamic Centre where they were officially converted to Islam and given Islamic names. When their Hindu mother sought redress, she was told that because her children were now Muslims, she would have to go through the Sharia courts. Believing that to be futile and possibly even dangerous, she opted instead to lodge a complaint with the police in early June. This case triggered an outcry when it was exposed in the media.
On Wednesday, June 26th, a bill permitting the unilateral conversion of minors to Islam went to the Parliament without first going to the Cabinet as is the customary procedure. If passed, this bill will further Islamize Malaysian law. (For an historical overview of this country, check the Malaysia Country Report.) It will also legalize the forced conversion of non-Muslim children. Despite the fact that the bill has caused an outcry, particularly amongst Malaysia's non-Muslims, the government is standing firm. For the sake of vulnerable children, we must pray against this bill.
Please pray that the Spirit of the Lord will arouse passionate indignation in all Malaysians who treasure personal liberty and the fundamental human rights of children so this bill will not pass, thus providing necessary protection of the country's children. May the Malaysian Church look to the 'Lord of Hosts' for wisdom and strength as they face this fierce spiritual battle. Pray that our faithful Lord will establish justice for the children and their parents whose rights have been severely threatened. "Let the little children come to Me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the Kingdom of Heaven" (Matthew 19:14 ESV).
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