After 33 Years, Court Rules That Malaysian Man Can Renounce Islam, Embrace Christianity
- Updated Mar 29, 2016
A Malaysian man who converted from Islam to Christianity has been granted official permission to change his religion after waiting 33 years.
Christian Today reports that Justice Datuk Yew Jen Kie ruled that the Sarawak Islamic Religious Department and the Sarawak Islamic Council must issue a letter of release from Islam to Roneey Anak Rebit, whose former name was Azmi Mohamad Azam Shah.
The Justice noted that Article 11 of the Malaysian Constitution provides for religious freedom.
Roneey reportedly professed faith in Islam at the age of 10, under the direction of his parents, but later converted to Christianity and was baptized.
The court contended that because Roneey was a minor at the time of professing faith in Islam, his identification with Islam can be relinquished and his conversion to Christianity upheld.
Roneey was not present at the time of the ruling because he is working overseas.
Publication date: March 29, 2016
