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PETALING JAYA: A Malaysian woman believed to have undergone a marriage ceremony at a Sikh temple in Punjab, India, will be called up once she returns to the country, religious authorities say.
Deputy Minister of the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Ahmad Marzuk Shaary (Photo) They said authorities are still awaiting a full report from the Johor Islamic Religious Department on the marriage between Illi Najwa Anuar Husin Saddique and the captain of the Indian national hockey team, Manpreet Singh.
“From the information we have received so far, the woman is still considered Muslim as there has been no request from her to change her religious status.
“We did not receive any request from her to marry abroad. From what I read on social media, the woman is still Muslim and the boyfriend (Manpreet) converted to Islam last year.
“We will only know the full story when we hear from the woman herself,” said Ahmad Marzuk.
He spoke to the media after delivering aid to fishermen and farmers in the Panchor state constituency in Kota Baru, Kelantan, on Sunday (December 20).
Illi, who is the niece of Unity Minister Datuk Halimah Mohamed Sadique, caused a stir on social media when she posted about traveling to India to marry Manpreet. Videos of their Sikh wedding ceremony also went viral.
Netizens questioned why she was allowed to travel to India during the MCO and whether it was right for her, as a Muslim, to participate in a Sikh religious ceremony.
Earlier Sunday, Halimah’s assistant shared a statement allegedly written by Illi that she was still Muslim.
“I apologize for my and Manpreet’s ignorance. Manpreet converted to Islam last year.
“I have never changed my name or my religion and my name will always be Illi Najwa Anuar Husin Saddique. His family has been calling me Navpreet since 2012 as it is difficult for them to call me by my real name.
“We did our nikah ceremony on December 16, but we kept it private. The certificate will be obtained next Wednesday,” Illi said.
He said Indian media had played videos of his wedding and things got out of hand.
Illi also said that she had followed all the procedures to travel to the wedding and did not receive any special treatment for being the niece of a minister.
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