Sisters in Islam (SIS) welcomes the call by the DYTM Raja Muda Perak Darul Ridzuan Raja Dr. Nazrin Shah Ibni Sultan Azlan Muhibbuddin Shah for all Malaysians to defend and promote the integrity of the Federal Constitution. As a Muslim organisation that believes in equality and justice, Sisters in Islam supports DYTM Raja Nazrin in denouncing all forms of extremism, chauvinism, rascism and isolationism.

SIS calls upon the government to ensure that all persons in Malaysia be accorded equality before the law and that their rights, regardless of gender, ethnicity and faith, are protected as guaranteed under the Federal Constitution.

SIS would also like to urge Muslim organisations and individuals who believe in justice, equality and human rights to show solidarity with our non-Muslim friends by speaking out against any form of injustices that may be perpetrated against them.

This is to abide with the Al-Qur’an Chapter Al-Maidah 5:8 that states “O ye who believe! Be steadfast witnesses for Allah in equity, and let not hatred of any people seduce you that ye deal not not justly. Deal justly, that is nearer to your duty. Observe your duty to Allah. Lo! Allah is Aware of what you do.”

In addressing inter-religious issues, we call on the government to:

• uphold and protect the supremacy of the Constitution which was agreed upon by all ethnic groups in Malaysia.

• fulfill its commitment to CEDAW (The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women)

• take a holistic approach in addressing the issue of conversion of a spouse to Islam and ensure that the rights of the non-converting spouse is protected.

• put in place a mechanism whereby those who wish to convert to Islam should settle their marital issues including the issue of custody, joint matrimonial property, guardianship, maintenance and inheritance.

• ensure that the consent of both parents be made a requirement before changing the religion of children below 18 years of age.

SIS fears that any attempts to undermine the supremacy of the Federal Constitution which is the social contract agreed upon by our founding leaders and all ethnic groups, will affect the unity and harmony of Malaysian society.