“If the syariah court grants the marriage, there is no reason for anyone, not even the civil courts, to question the sanctity of the marriage.” SELANGOR mufti Datuk Mohd Tamyes Abdul Wahid, stating that syariah courts could hear applications to approve marriages involving Muslim girls under 16. Currently, Islamic family law allows girls 16 and […]
children
“Every right to be here”
By Nick ChooShanthini Venugopal, with son Hari and cat (All pics courtesy of Shanthini Venugopal)SINGER, actor, director and teacher Shanthini Venugopal has been in the Malaysian theatre industry for nearly three decades, having worked with various theatre companies since 1981. She is a pioneer member of The Instant Cafe Theatre Company. She has starred in films, including […]
Are our children protected?
By Ding Jo-Ann(Pic by NTLam @ Flickr) THE allegation in late 2009 of a sex offender operating a kindergarten is just one of a growing number of reported cases of child abuse, molestation and rape. Police statistics indicate a rise from 2,236 reported cases in 2005 to 5,744 in 2008, an increase of more than 2.5 times […]
Celebrating children’s rights
Compiled by Ding Jo-Ann
ALTHOUGH Malaysia’s education indicators such as literacy rates and school enrolment ratios are comparable to industrialised countries, there are still pockets of children who do not have proper access to education. The United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) says the children at greatest risk in Malaysia are non-Malaysian children born in Malaysia. These include refugee children […]
Ulama leadership needed for Islam’s sake
By Deborah LohKUALA LUMPUR, 4 June 2009: Debates at the PAS Youth muktamar today were heavily tinged with a pro-ulama flavour. However, there were no strident calls for the PAS deputy president’s post to be given to a cleric at the main party elections tomorrow. Speakers today, however, upheld the concept of leadership by ulama with some […]
Free phone emergency service for children
SHAH ALAM, 19 May 2009: Malaysia will launch Childline Malaysia, a 24-hour free phone emergency outreach service for children in need of care and protection in October this year, Women, Family and Community Development Minister Senator Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil said today. She said the service would provide emergency assistance to children and then […]
Kids without birth certs can enrol in school
KUALA LUMPUR, 14 May 2009: Children without birth certificates are now allowed to register for schooling, said Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil. However, she added, the penghulu, village head or any figure with similar authority must verify that the children concerned were born in this country. She said in […]
PR to form religious committee
By Sharon TanPETALING JAYA, 4 May 2009: Pakatan Rakyat (PR) will form a religious committee to look into custody rights and freedom of religion in the light of the [M] Indira Gandhi case. Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the cabinet had come to its decision to allow the children of one converted parent to remain […]
Shamala, Ridzwan victims in conversion issue
By Chan Kok LeongPUTRAJAYA, 29 April 2009: He has not seen his two sons since they were six and four. She has since fled the country to escape him and a law she does not accept. Both relied on the laws they believed to be theirs. He relied on Islamic jurisprudence when their marriage failed while she stuck […]
Scholar: Forced conversions un-Islamic
By Shanon ShahPETALING JAYA, 22 Apr 2009: Forcing minors to convert to Islam is un-Islamic, leading Islamic scholar Prof Dr Mohammad Hashim Kamali said today at a public lecture. “Those who use Islam for purposes not germane to aqidah (articles of faith), for example to legitimise marriage, divorce, or win custody battles over children, are misusing the […]
