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PETALING JAYA: The Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, has advised the public to avoid jumping to conclusions on the subject of a Malaysian woman’s marriage to an Indian hockey captain.
In a Facebook post, Sultan Ibrahim noted that the woman, Illi Najwa Saddique, had not yet declared that she wanted to leave Islam.
The ruler said any premature punishment against Illi Najwa would only make it harder for him to return home, while increasing the gap between his family in Malaysia and India.
Sultan Ibrahim also advised Illi Najwa to ensure that his parents approved in advance any decision he made and to avoid violating Islamic rules.
“I am sure that the Johor Islamic Religious Department and the Johor Mufti Department will provide all necessary assistance to women to keep their faith within the scope of Islamic law.
“Islam is a religion that advises, not one that simply punishes its people,” said the Ruler, adding that any news on the subject should be verified and read without prejudice.
It was previously reported that Indian hockey captain Manpreet Singh Pawar had married his 27-year-old Malaysian lover from Johor, Illi Najwa, in Mithapur, near Jalandhar in Punjab.
Manpreet, 28, was wearing a Punjabi wedding dress complete with a turban, while Illi Najwa was wearing a Punjabi wedding dress when they exchanged vows. The ceremony raised questions among netizens about the religious status of the woman.
After this, the government said that it would summon Illi Najwa to explain as soon as he returned home. The Ministry of Religious Affairs is currently verifying with the Johor Islamic Religious Department the religious status of women.
According to an NST report last week, Illi Najwa managed to obtain special permission from the Malaysian authorities and the Indian Ministry of the Interior for the wedding.
