[dendun]

I am a converted muslim living in Malaysia. After so many years I have found that Islam is not for me as the faith has never healed or shown me the way... I was a Roman Catholic by birth and I thought Islam was the right way but it was not to be. How can I leave Islam in Malaysia? Please help me

[Wondergirl]

What will happen if you renounce Islam?

[Gernald]

According to the internet the Malaysian constitution guarantees religious freedom. But, it looks like conversion from Islam to another religion is nearly impossible because of how things are set up. Am I right with this?

Right now because of how Sharia law works, I don't think conversion to any religion except Islam is possible in Malaysia. But, if you wanted to go to another country and convert back to Catholicism or whatever you like then technically in the eyes of that religion you would be Catholic. Unfortunately, in the eyes of the Malaysian government and in the eyes of most Islamics you would be considered Muslim, even if you did attend a Catholic Church every Sunday.

You could go to court to attempt to convert in the eyes of the government, people have tried before. However, the chances of success are slim and may result in worse consequences.

[dendun]

Thank you for replying. I have heard of some cases but not sure how they did it.It may be a long process but I am willing to go through it.

[Hellos]

That is just outrageous, what is the reason why you don't want to be a muslim anymore? Allah will punish you...

[smkanand]

Well, converting to any religion is not difficult but it is hard when it comes to legal matters and paper work. I think you should start the process to leave islam as well as change your lifestyle which closely attached to islam. Listen to your heart and follow your instinct. You can always follow your faith inside your home. If you want to follow Christianity or any other religion then you should start reading and following related books and customs. In islam praying or worshipping idols consider as kufra means work of kafir i.e. non islamic, hence if you start to follow other religion, you will be consider non islamic.

[Gernald]

well, converting to any religion is not difficult but it is hard when it comes to legal matters and paper work. I think you should start the process to leave islam as well as change your lifestyle which closely attached to islam. listen to your heart and follow your instinct. you can always follow your faith inside your home. if you want to follow Christianity or any other religion then you should start reading and following related books and customs. In islam praying or worshipping idols consider as kufra means work of kafir i.e. non islamic, hence if you start to follow other religion, you will be consider non islamic.

The problem here isn't just converting in lifestyle. In Malaysia they put your religion on your ID card. And it's illegal to marry outside of your religion. Plus they have religious police that monitor these sort of things. If the government doesn't say that they're Catholic then they're not (even though they are... lol it's so messed up). They're also is at risk of legal problems for not converting "properly" aka being sent to a Faith Rehab Center --> totally not joking about that.
If they do choose to convert without government approval they'll essentially have to live a double life and no one including family or close friends can know about it, unless they know for certain that they won't be turned in.

Anyway, it looks like what you need to do to is find yourself a good lawyer, and go about it that way. From what I've read after replying to you the first time, it's a very difficult and possibly dangerous path- so please be careful.

[smkanand]

Yeah, I know malaysian rules been unfair for many. It is non secular, forcing someone against his will. And religious rehab, seriously! You should leave that country if possible.