Dispute Over Burial: Shariah Court Jumps the Gun

July 7, 2008

Source: The Hindu

http://www.hindu.com/2008/07/07/stories/2008070759861500.htm

In a rude shock to a Hindu family which moved the court to stop Malaysia’s Islamic authorities from burying a relative claiming that he was converted, a Shariah court on Sunday ruled that the deceased was a Muslim.

The family of Elangesvaran Benedict, 34, wanted to cremate the deceased according to Hindu rites, saying it was not aware of his reported conversion to Islam.

The matter was to be decided at the High Court in Georgetown in Penang State but the religious authorities jumped the gun and obtained a declaration from the Shariah court in the morning.