The pleas for placing the four Malaysian children to a Muslim foster care, whose parents are detained in Sweden following reports of alleged beating due to religious reasons, seem hopeful after the Social Welfare Department in Sweden identified two Muslim families there.

However, the fate of the children's mother who is currently detained by Swedish authorities, is still in vague.

Shalwati Nurshal's lawyer explained that the accusations of slapping and beating her children appeared more than once.

A close family member who grew up with Shalwati, who now resides abroad, said that she is appalled by the term ‘abuse’.That it has been irresponsibly used by all local media even before Shalwati was officially charged. She said that every time she read updates on this case, her heart can’t stop but succumb to disappointment and sadness.

According to this close family member, Shalwati is a loving and caring woman. Like any other protective mother, Shalwati shows nothing but unconditional love towards her children and other family members. “Shal is a pious lady, she recites the Quran everyday and she will never in a million years bring any form of harm or hurt, may it be physically or psychologically to any of her children. Whatever she does, it is always for the very best interest of her children.”

"Shal told me that even if she is acquitted, she is aware that she will have to fight for her children. All Shal ever wish for right now is for her children to be placed in a Muslim home and that she has faith in her children to not abandon their religious practice" she added.

Shalwati Nurshal and her children

Another close family member also said that Shalwati is a very independent woman. She has always advised her siblings on the importance of independence, religious beliefs and good education. And these are the vital principles that she instills in her children.

“In mid 90’s, Shalwati was our warden, we call her Ms. Shal. She was the most caring warden and she never stops motivating us, even today. I remember vividly the things she did for me. In my teens, Ms Shal will shout and knock on my hostel door to make sure that we perform our Subuh prayers. She is vocal like that, and I really felt at home with her,” said Azaratul Azlin Aziz who is a former student of Sekolah Menengah Seri Puteri and also Shalwati’s friend.

Azaratul also called Shalwati as a doting mother.

She added,"Ms. Shal is very, very motherly. Kind and strict at the same time but never abusive. She is motherly not just to her own children but also to all of her students, all of us. I don’t believe the accusations that’s been made unto her, this is solely a case of clash of culture”