Court strikes out man’s bid to change Muslim status

In a recent ruling, the Court of Appeal has rejected Shehzad Malik Sarwar Malik's attempt to alter his religious status from Muslim to Sikh. The court's three-judge panel unanimously agreed that the matter falls under the jurisdiction of the shariah court. Justice Firuz Jaffril led the bench, which upheld the Federal Territories Islamic religious council (MAIWP) and the government's appeal.

Official documents revealed that Shehzad was born in 1996 to parents who converted to Islam voluntarily. The respondent was aware of his Muslim birth based on these documents, and Section 2 of the Administration of Islamic Law (Federal Territories) Act 1993 (Act 505) defines who is considered a Muslim under the Act. Since the facts suggest renunciation, the case is deemed appropriate for the shariah court's jurisdiction.

The Court of Appeal was bound by the Federal Constitution and judicial precedents. Shehzad's suit, filed in December 2023, sought a declaration that he was a Sikh and had never practiced Islam. He also requested the national registration department to amend his religious status and name. However, the civil court lacked jurisdiction to hear the case.