PETALING JAYA: The Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, has advised the public to avoid jumping to conclusions on the issue of a Malaysian woman’s marriage to an Indian hockey captain.
In a Facebook post, Sultan Ibrahim pointed out that the woman, Illi Najwa Saddique, had yet to declare that she wished to leave Islam.
The Ruler said any premature punishment against Illi Najwa would only make it more difficult for her to return home, while widening the gap between her family in Malaysia and India.
Sultan Ibrahim also advised Illi Najwa to ensure any decision she made was approved by her parents beforehand and to avoid violating Islamic norms.
“I am confident that the Johor Islamic Religious Department and the Johor Mufti Department will provide all the necessary assistance to the woman to maintain her faith within the scope of Islamic law.
“Islam is a religion that advises, not one that simply punishes its people,” the Ruler said, adding that any news on the issue must be fact-checked and read without prejudice.
It was previously reported that Indian hockey captain Manpreet Singh Pawar had wed his 27-year-old Malaysian lover from Johor, Illi Najwa, in Mithapur, near Jalandhar, in Punjab.
Manpreet, 28, wore a Punjabi wedding suit complete with turban, while Illi Najwa was attired in a Punjabi wedding dress when they exchanged vows. The ceremony raised questions among netizens about the woman’s religious status.
Following this, the government said it would summon Illi Najwa to explain as soon as she returns home. The religious affairs ministry is currently checking with the Johor Islamic Religious Department on the religious status of the woman.
According to an NST report last week, Illi Najwa managed to obtain special permission from Malaysian authorities and India’s home affairs ministry for the wedding.