Mufti Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin was quoted by Chinese-language Sin Chew Daily as saying that Perlis ruler Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Putra Jamalullail had consented to the decision.

“His Majesty also believes that once the fatwa has been gazetted, it will prevent unilateral conversion of a child,” Asri said, adding that he was aware of the non-Muslims’ worries over an amendment in the state law which drew support from Umno and PAS assemblymen.

The Perlis state assembly changed the Bahasa Malaysia version of Section 117 of the Administration of Islam Enactment 2006, from “father and mother or guardian” to “father or mother or guardian”, allowing a Muslim convert parent to change their children’s religion to Islam without consent from the non-Muslim spouse.

Asri assured non-Muslims that they had nothing to worry.

“The Islamic principles will never force a person to convert against his or her own will,” he said.

He added that the children’s willingness to convert was the most important factor.

“Their parents cannot force them to convert as this is seen as a form of coercion. Under civil or shariah laws, coercion is not allowed.”

The Perlis Fatwa Committee had among others ruled that the rights of custody of a child should not be based on the parent’s religion.

“Instead, it is handed over to he/she who is able to ensure the children’s benefit more in terms of the moral, emotional and development,” an English-language version of the committee’s decision states.