Conversion to Islam is not like choosing a meal, according to Selangor PAS Commissioner Dr Abd Rani Osman.
Dr Abd Rani said a parent who converted his child after his or her conversion to Islam should be mindful of this.
“This is not like choosing a meal, but more like buying a car. It has to be discussed first and agreed by both the parents.
“We cannot force anyone to convert. And if the parents have converted to Islam, they have to expose their children to the teachings of Islam first,” he said when commenting on the Administration of Islamic Law (Federal Territories) Bill 2013.
Dr Abd Rani said both parents and not ‘a parent’ as stated in the proposed law, which was tabled last week, must decide on any conversion to Islam.
“It would not be good for the child if a parent is allowed to do the conversion which, in most cases, are done during a marriage dispute,” said Dr Abd Rani when met at the Selangor assembly meeting today.
The Administration of Islamic Law (Federal Territories) Bill 2013 has triggered a public debate with many parties, especially non-Muslim groups, opposing to the proposed law saying it was against the Federal Constitution.
Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, however, had defended the Bill saying that the proposed amendments were done according to existing laws.