Lina Joy's mother: Let me speak to her
Fauwaz Abdul Aziz
Jul 20, 07

Kalthum Omar, the 71-year-old mother of Lina Joy is now hoping that
certain
quarters will not come between her and her daughter but allow them
unimpeded
access to speak to each other.

"For those trying to influence her, we plead that you understand the
suffering of Azalina's mother and family members and not to obstruct
relations between a mother and her child," said Kalthum in a statement
read
out by her brother, Mat Kandar, at a press conference this morning.

Kalthum said the last time she spoke to her daughter was before she left
on
her *umrah* pilgrimage to Mecca last August.

Joy, who was Azalina Jailani before she converted to Christianity in 1998,
is believed to be overseas and has not been in contact with any of her
family members for nearly a year.

Last May, Joy's nine-year effort to have her conversion recognised by the
civil court was *quashed <http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/67952>*by the
country's apex Federal Court. In a majority judgement, the court said Joy
has to apply to the Syariah courts to be declared a non-Muslim.

*Path pleasing to God*

Kalthum's sister Sabariah was also present with several family members and
friends at the media conference which was organised by Islamic coalition
Pembela.

Apart from highlighting the break in communication between Joy and her
mother, the press conference was also held to address claims that the
family
had accepted her decision to embrace Christianity.

"Truly there is nothing stronger than the bond of love between a mother
and
her child. In a mother's pure bond of love, there is nothing higher than
her
wish that her child follow the path that is pleasing to God Almighty,"
said
Kalthum, shedding tears as the words were spoken.

"Every Muslim surely hopes that every family member is united in the
hereafter in God's heaven," she added.

Kalthum said while she used to speak to and receive visits from Joy before
she relocated to Sarawak last year, she has not heard from her daughter
since. She was also informed that Joy's lawyers do not know of her
whereabouts too.

When it was suggested that Joy may be reached through her lawyers, Kalthum
said she had never tried to contact her daughter in that way.

"Why should I have to go through a lawyer to speak to my daughter? What
right does he have for me to speak through him?" she said.

Chairing the press confernce, Pembela head Yusri Mohamad said a lot of
attention had so far focused on the suffering of Muslim - non-Muslim
couples
who are prevented by law from having their marriages recognised.

*Different relationship*

The case of Kalthum and her mother, however, illustrates the suffering of
parents who are separated from their children due to the insistence of
certain quarters to go against the Islamic and civil legal processes and
regulations.

"A root cause as to why such incidents occur is because some quarters do
not
want to abide by and recognise the steps and the relevant procedures that
should be taken in relation to Muslim matters, particularly when it
concerns
marriage," said Yusri (*right*).

He urged Muslims and non-Muslims, including churches and temples, to abide
by the rules and regulations.

"We feel that, if from the beginning there had not been disrespect towards
(family) relations, the going against of Islamic laws, the sensitivities
and
customs of the community, this would not have occurred," said Yusri.

Speaking to reporters later, Kalthum said she would still accept her
daughter if she came back to her family, although the relationship would
be
different on account of her apostasy from Islam.

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