Muslim Women Cannot Change Faith

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Bangkok, May 30 (UNI) Malaysia's apex court today struck down an appeal by a Muslim woman to be officially recognised as a Christian.

In a landmark ruling, the Federal Court in Putrajaya refused to delete the word ''Islam'' from Azlina Jailani government identity card saying this could only be done by the Islamic Shariah Court.

Azlina, who had changed her faith and named herself Lina Joy had appealed against a lower court's refusal to include the change of religion in her government identity card.

The National Registration Department had changed her name in the identity card but refused to remove ''Islam'' from the religion column for the official identification.

The lower court had ruled that the change of religion in the identity card could only be done on the order of the Islamic Shariah courts but Ms Joy had argued that since she had become a Christian, the Shariah did not apply to her.