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‘Ayah Pin Follower Still a Muslim’

New Straits Times, Malasia
Feb. 6, 2005
www.nst.com.my

ReligionNewsBlog.com • Monday February 6, 2006

KUALA TERENGGANU, Sun. – Kamariah Ali, a follower of cult leader Ariffin Mohamad, a.k.a. “Ayah Pin“, wanted to be tried in the Syariah Court as an apostate.

But her hopes were dashed today, when the Syariah Court ruled that she is still a Muslim.

In her application, Kamariah, 54, told the court she had consistently stated that she was a non-Muslim and could not be charged under Section 7 of the Syariah Criminal Offence Enactment (Takzir) 2001.

The former al-Azhar University graduate and religious teacher also argued her religious status was a question of law and not based on facts.

However, prosecutor Mustafar Hamzah argued they had sufficient evidence to prove she is a Muslim and the fact that she was charged in the Syariah Court proved it.

Syariah Court judge Mohamad Abdullah accepted the prosecutor’s argument. He reprimanded Saadiah Din, Kamariah’s counsel, for failing to submit a written application on the matter.

Saadiah said she was only appointed today by Kamariah to represent her in court.

Mohamad said he did not want to postpone the trial any longer as it was unfair to both sides.

Kamariah was charged under Section 7 of the Syariah Criminal Offences Enactment (Takzir) (Terengganu) 2001 for claiming she was not a Muslim. The offence carries a fine of RM5,000 or three years’ jail or both upon conviction. The trial has been set for two days from April 2.