In Islam, women have the right to pass nationality to children, says Dr Zulkifli
SHAH ALAM - The government needs to do a comprehensive review on women's rights in the country, especially for Malaysian women who are married to foreigners to obtain citizenship for their overseas-born children.
Former minister in the prime minister’s department (religious affairs) Datuk Dr Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri said women have the right to pass their nationality to their children on an equal basis with men.
He said in Islam, women have the right to defend and fight for their rights.
“It was reported in a Hadith on Umm Hani', she told the Prophet SAW that she gave refuge to two of her in laws who were among the non-believers when Mecca was opened. The prophet said: "We grant protection to whomever Umm Hani has granted protection.” (Narrated by al-Bukhari and Muslim),” Zulkifli wrote in a post on Twitter, tdoay.
He said this following a debate in Dewan Negara earlier, on the citizenship of children who were born overseas to Malaysian mothers.
Zulkifli said this was a clear message from the Prophet SAW that women's voices needed to be heard and given serious attention to.
He added that there was a potential for the country to lose the human capital which can be a major contributor to the progress of the country if this issue continues.
He said the government should also discuss about other issues and alternatives in regards to the matter.
He also expressed confidence in the country in providing a harmonious and fair solution to the issue.
"Malaysia is among 25 countries in the world which do not give mothers and fathers to transfer citizenship to their children.
“The loopholes related to this should also be discussed.
“Among them is the registration of marriages and the birth of children which becomes an obstacles due to the constitution,” he added.
On Aug 5, the Court of Appeal in a majority decision overturned a landmark decision that Malaysian mothers who are married to foreign spouses should be able to automatically pass on their citizenship to their children born overseas.
Following the decision, many parties have called for a constutional amendment so that overseas-born children could obtain citizenship from “either parent” or “either mother or father” or “both mother and father”.
