Keeping Vigil for our Freedom of Faith

KUALA LUMPUR: More than 500 Malaysians professing different religions, from different ethnic backgrounds gathered in unity on June 19 for a candlelight vigil in support of Revathi, and many others like her, who are unable to fully exercise their Constitutionally-guaranteed freedom of faith.

The hour-long peaceful and silent vigil was held in Dataran Merdeka from 8.00pm to 9.00pm. It was initiated by several civil society organisations including MCCBCHST (Malaysian Consultative Council on Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism), Catholic’s Lawyers Society, Kuala Lumpur and various women’s rights groups or NGOs like All Women’s Action Society (AWAM), Sisters In Islam (SIS), Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO), Penang Women’s Centre for Change (WCC) and Women’s Development Collective (WDC).

Among those present were five priests namely Frs Phillips Muthu, Mitchel Anthony Joseph, Eugene Benedict, Terrence Thomas and Raymond Michael OFM Cap and three religious sisters beside several leaders from the other religions and leaders of the NGOs.

Many were holding candles while some held placards and posters which read Uphold The Federal Constitution, We are all Bangsa Malaysia, Promote freedom of Faith, Recognise Revathi as an Hindu, MCCBCHST in Solidarity with Revathi & Suresh, Secular in not anti-religion, Allah Maha Pengasih, kembalikan Revathi kepada keluarganya, Separating a mother & child is inhuman.

Ivy Josiah, WAO president said that Revathi is a prisoner of conscience as she has been detained for the past several months, for not believing in the faith of her Indian parents, who had converted to Islam before her birth. “This peaceful gathering is to create awareness, to stand to speak up not just about Revathi but for us Malaysians as well,” she added.

Meanwhile Fr Mitchel said that Malaysians of all faiths and races who gathered at the candlelight vigil came in solidarity and with responsibility in wanting to uphold the Federal Constitution in affirming its supremacy and its protection of our fundamental liberties, including the freedom of belief.

The vigil attracted several pressmen and there were at least 10 police personnel stationed to monitor the gathering.

The peaceful candlelight vigil ended at 9.00pm everyone dispersed in a civil and orderly manner.

Revathi who claims to have been raised as a Hindu by her Hindu grandmother and was married to Suresh in 2004 according to Hindu rites is still being held in the Ulu Yam rehabilitation centre after 100 days. Her detention was extended for another 80 days, as she had not ‘repented’ converting from Hinduism to Islam.

She was detained after she made an application at the Melaka Syariah High Court to confirm her status as a Hindu. Meanwhile the family has been torn apart, where the mother is still in the Islamic rehabilitation centre, her husband in a state of limbo without his wife and child. Their 15-month-old baby is in the custody of Revathi’s Muslim mother and Suresh is barred from visiting her.

Although the candlelight vigil was peaceful and maintained complete silence, one realised this is a sign of passive protest and the real issue is whether the Federal Constitution guarantees the freedom of conscience to every Malaysian. — By Bernard Anthony