Issue solved, Illi Najwa still a Muslim - Johor Mufti

JOHOR BAHRU: The findings of a comprehensive investigation carried out by the Johor Islamic Religious Department (JAINJ) has revealed that Illi Najwa Anuar Hussein Saddique, who married the Indian hockey team captain Manpreet Singh Pawar last year, is still a Muslim.

Johor Mufti Datuk Yahya Ahmad said JAINJ has called Illi Najwa, her mother and other witnesses to give their statements.

"The investigations found that Illi Najwa has never left Islam. In fact, today she (Illi Najwa) also came with us for an audience with the Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar.

"There is no problem to register their marriage and the issue has been solved," he said in a statement that was uploaded on Sultan Ibrahim's official Facebook page today after the audience at Istana Bukit Pelangi here which was also attended by JAINJ director Datuk Md Rofiki Shamsudin.

During the meeting, Yahya has presented JAINJ's investigation report on the couple's marriage and religious status to Sultan Ibrahim.

Yahya said the couple's marriage registration in Johor Bahru was currently being processed.

In December last year, Sultan Ibrahim has ordered JAINJ and the Johor Mufti's Office to verify the woman's religious status.

Sultan Ibrahim said as the head of Islam in Johor, he was responsible to safeguard the position of Islam, in line with Article 57 of the Johor State Constitution and Article 3 of the Federal Constitution.

-- BERNAMA