A home divided...

Raimah Bibi Noordin, 40, is an ethnic Indian who was adopted and raised by an Indian Muslim family. She married P. Marimuthu, 47, a Hindu, according to Hindu rites 20 years ago. Their marriage was not formally registered. They have 7 children, 4 boys and 3 girls, from age 4 to 14. According to Marimuthu, Raimah and their children are practicing Hindu.

Religious officials from the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS) said Raiman is a Muslim, detained her together with 5 of her children, and taken them away from their home in Batang kali on April 2nd 2007. As a progressive country with Muslims as majority, If I understand it correctly, in Malaysia, a Muslim is only allowed to marry another Muslim. For a Muslim to seek conversion into non-Muslim is not a practical approach. Non-Muslim who want to marry a Muslim must be converted to Muslim first.

Marimuthu filed a habeas corpus application against JAIS claiming that JAIS unlawfully detained his wife and 5 children.

In a settlement on May 3rd 2007, Raimah Bibi filed an affidavit stating that she left her husband's home on her own accord. And, Marimuthu agreed that his wife was not unlawfully detained by JAIS. Raiman also agreed to continue to be a Muslim, and be separated from her non Muslim husband. She also agreed to allow custody of their children to Marimuthu to be brought up according to Hindu tradition.

A happy ending for all concerned parties ? Personally, I do felt very sad for this "religiously divided" family. Not wanting to be heartless, but to be practical, I guess Marimuthu should annulled his marriage and divorce Raiman. He should find a non-Muslim wife to take care of his 7 children. Or alternatively, he and his 7 children should convert into Islam and reunite with Raiman. Either way, due considerations must be given to the future welfares of the children.

Honestly, does God really care what religion we practise ? I can't speak for other religions, but as a Buddhist, I know, the compassionate Buddha teaches its followers to accept and respect presentational diversities to the Almighty. Every individual is welcome to embrace Buddhism, and every Buddhist is also free to leave the door of Buddhism - No compulsion and no imposition.

I do sincerely believe, religion and faith should always be a personal choice and a domestic matter. In a civil society, individual's rights to practise any religion should alway be respected, and no interferences should be imposed by other parties. I have a simple belief that, everybody should mind their own businesses and should not meddle into others' personal religious preferences. As much as we want our rights to be protected and respected, we should have the basic decency to have fair eyes and rational minds to respect the rights of others.

God, please forgive those ignorance souls, for they do not know what they are doing.

Om Mani Padme Hum. Om Namo Amithaba Buddha.