Move to streamline conversions

PUTRAJAYA: The Islamic Development Department (Jakim) will hold a syariah and syarak convention on April 26 to discuss all aspects on conversions to Islam.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said this was part of the efforts towards drawing up legislation covering religious conversion.

He said he and senator Datuk Zaid Ibrahim, also a minister in the Prime Minister's Department, had recently discussed the proposals by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi that converts inform their spouses or families when they embraced Islam.

"We are also getting feedback and views from non-governmental organisations, Muslim associations, Chinese-Muslim associations and others."

Muslim scholars, lawyers and academicians are among the participants of the syariah and syarak convention.
"Everything relating to this matter must be analysed before procedures or regulations are introduced to avoid misunderstanding and potential conflicts.

"While we try to understand the needs of the converts, we also have to understand their families' needs, too, " he said.