In a report in the Malay Mail Online, Malaysian Syariah Lawyers Association president Musa Awang explained that non-Muslim parents could not initiate a lawsuit in the Syariah courts on behalf of their children under existing laws, but the children could do so after reaching the age of maturity.

“Yes, when they are 18, they can apply to the Syariah court to declare that they are no longer Muslims,” he told the portal, adding there were many such cases in the Islamic courts.

Musa was commenting on the case of M Indira Gandhi — a Hindu mother– and her legal challenge to reverse the unilateral religious conversion of her three children by her Muslim convert ex-husband after losing in a 2-1 decision at the Court of Appeal yesterday.

Musa also told Malay Mail Online that for those who have yet to turn 18, they would have to rely on a Muslim family member or Muslim friend who knows of their situation to file a lawsuit on their behalf in the Shariah courts.

A Syariah lawyer, he said, would not be able to initiate legal proceedings on behalf of those considered minors.

Musa went on to state that while non-Muslim parents like Indira could not be a party to their converted children’s legal proceedings in the Syariah courts, they could still file applications there and present their statement to support their children’s bid.