FOREIGN MUSLIMS & SYARIAH
A foreign
Muslim seems to be immune to all the Syariah laws that are applied against
Muslims in this Country. For instance, (khalwat) proximity between Muslim and
non-Muslim is an offence. Many people, from ordinary to law makers and
enforcement officers have had been hauled before Syariah courts for their
amorous activity within the four-walls away from the public eye. But, a
foreigner, a Muslim, who had lived with a non-Muslim and had a child by such a
relation in this country, Syariah seems hesitant to act.
If it was a
Malaysian Muslim, the Islamic Religious Department would have acted like speed
of wind to haul the Muslim man (or woman) for breaching the Syariah law. It
would not end there, for the Islamic Religious Department would try to snatch
the baby born out of wedlock between a male Muslim and non-Muslim female as it
must be treated as a Muslim, so goes the argument.
Is it the
contention of Malaysian Syariah law that its powers only extend to Malaysian
Muslims living in this country but not to foreign Muslims? In other words, no
action can be taken against foreign Muslims living in this country notwithstanding
their flagrant violation of Syariah laws. And the foreign Muslim seeking remedy
from his (her) lover whether it be a Muslim or otherwise could do so in the
civil court, but which remedy is not available to local Muslims.
K.Siladass
