Malaysia Burial Row Fuels Tension

June 26, 2008

Author: Frances Harrison

Source: BBC News

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7475950.stm

The Islamic authorities in Malaysia are in dispute with the Hindu family of a man who committed suicide - with both sides claiming the body for burial.

It is the latest in a series of cases where against the wishes of families Muslim officials have seized remains of people they say converted to Islam.

The family of the man contest his conversion certificate but have been refused permission to collect his body.

The conversion disputes are straining relations with ethnic minorities.