‘Time for informal mediation centre for disputes between Muslims, non-Muslims’

KUALA LUMPUR – An out-of-court, informal mediation centre needs to be established to resolve disputes involving Muslims and non-Muslims, says Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Mohd Na’im Mokhtar.

“This is because it involves a dispute between a Muslim and non-Muslim, namely a non-Muslim father and Muslim mother and child…apart from it involving two different courts, namely civil and shariah.

“We do not want any party to take this opportunity to cause conflict and unrest. We want to create a society that is united and understanding,” he said when met at a ceremony to introduce a copy of the Qur’an published by Karya Bestari, Karangkraf Book Group in conjunction with the 40th Kuala Lumpur International Book Festival here today.

He was commenting on a child custody case following a viral video on social media recently showing a mother and her 9-year-old child being separated after the Kuantan High Court decided that the child’s custody be handed over to the father.

It is understood that the child is of an Orang Asli couple who have divorced and was previously being looked after by the mother who had embraced Islam.

The Kuantan High Court on Thursday ordered the child to be handed over to the non-Muslim father through a habeas corpus order.

Na’im, however, said the establishment of the mediation centre still requires further study by the authorities for it to be implemented either under the civil court or otherwise.

“What is most important is that the mediators appointed in the mediation process must consist of a combination of shariah law experts, civil law experts and child specialists. 

“I am confident that this informal way can solve the problem fairly and (ensure) that the children’s interests are taken care of,” he said.

Meanwhile, commenting on a viral video allegedly showing deviant teachings involving a pesantren (traditional Islamic boarding school) in a neighbouring country, Na’im said a committee of shariah experts would be formed as soon as possible by Jakim to study the matter.

A video had previously gone viral on social media showing a religious ceremony with elements of deviant teachings at a pesantren in a neighbouring country, and which was allegedly attended by many Malaysians, causing concern among netizens. – Bernama, May 28, 2023