Noor (former Muslim)
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Testimony of Leaving Islam
I was born of Chinese Malaysian parents who are non-Muslims.
After I graduated from university in the 80s, I met my boyfriend, a Malay doctor. As our relationship developed, he insisted that I embrace his religion, Islam. I was made to attend religious classes conducted by Perkim, and eventually was became a "saudara baru" (new cousin) among the Muslims. This conversion was kept away from my parents and family. But as a journalist with a Malay newspaper, surrounded daily by Muslim colleagues, the newspaper insisted I use my Muslim name for my bylines.
Things went on fine for a couple of years, until my boyfriend's ex-girlfriend turned up one day, calling me a kafir and attempted to renew their relationship. My boyfriend was put under a spell, and I was feeling confused and lost. A Muslim friend of mine from college and her husband counseled me and suggested engaging a "bomoh" (witchdoctor) to regain my boyfriend's love for me. I was against this idea of witchcraft, and soon I was out of the relationship.
To start anew, I changed my job to an English language newspaper. I used a new byline. At this time too I met the man who would become my husband. He is Catholic, and didn't mind that I was a Muslim. But to get married, I would need to renounce Islam. Soon, I was moving around in circles with conflicting advice on how to go about it. I spoke to many Muslim lawyers competent with Shariah law, but none were prepared to handle my case for fear of incurring the wrath of their fellow Muslims. I finally consulted a non-Muslim lawyer who helped me with a deed poll. Thank the gods and goddesses, none of my official identification papers carry my Muslim name. After the deed poll, there was no need to make any changes to my official papers. I remain an atheist. Today, I still work as a journalist with the English language paper, and you won't be able to detect my Muslim past from my byline.
My advice to fellow Malaysians: Don't embrace the religion out of love for your boyfriend or girlfriend. The Muslim community welcomes you with open arms - it is like a feather in their cap! But when you want to leave, they make it extremely difficult for you and they ostracize you.
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