KOTA BARU – The government has asked a Malaysian woman, Illi Najwa Saddique, who is married to Indian hockey captain Manpreet Singh Pawar, to come forward and explain their religious status.
Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Ahmad Marzuk Shaary said the government is sensitive about such matters and Illi Najwa will be called in as soon as she returns home.
He said the ministry is awaiting an official decision from Johor's Islamic Religious Department (JAIJ) on Illi Najwa's religious status.
"We understand that she is from Johor and, according to preliminary information we obtained, she is still a Muslim, and so far, the government has not received an application from her to marry abroad.
"In fact, from what I have read on social media, it was also said the woman is still a Muslim and the man is said to have converted to Islam at the end of last year, but we will wait for confirmation when she returns," Marzuk said.
He said this after a distribution ceremony of monsoon season aid for fishermen and farmers at the Panchor state assembly here today.
Marzuk added the government has also not accepted any application from Illi Najwa to leave Islam.
"Currently, we are thinking positively that she is still a Muslim, but the traditions she followed contradict our religion. If she is still a Muslim, then she must repent,” he said.
It had been reported that Singh Pawar and Illi Najwa married in Mithapur near Jalandhar, Punjab in India.
Manpreet, 28, wore a Punjabi wedding suit complete with a turban, while Illi Najwa wore a Punjabi wedding dress when exchanging vows, which had raised questions among netizens about her religious status. – Bernama, December 20, 2020
