GEORGE TOWN: Single mother Loh Siew Hong should be allowed to visit her children as often as possible, says Penang Mufti.

       Datuk Seri Dr Wan Salim Wan Mohd Noor said authorities should find a way to ensure children who are separated from their parents are allowed to meet them as often as possible even if both parents follow different religions.

       On Loh’s issue, Wan Salim said the bond of love between family members should always be nurtured despite being from different religions.

       Loh, 35, was previously denied a chance to meet her children by the Perlis Social Welfare Department.

       "The relationship between mother and child is especially important.

       “I urge authorities to find a way so that the children can meet their parents as often as possible despite their different religions.

       “We should prove that Malaysians of various races, religions and cultures are people who always love peace and wellbeing, and respect each other,” he told a local news portal.

       Wan Salim explained that Islam itself acknowledges that religious differences are a natural phenomenon that must be accepted as the determination and will of the human creator.

       "Yet, it is clear that such differences should not be a reason for mutual hatred and enmity between fellow human beings, given that Islam is a religion that calls towards unity and friendship despite being from different religions, races and cultures.

       “The bond of love between the members of a family must always be nurtured even if they have different religions.

       “This is especially between mother and child.

       "In the event of a divorce between the mother and father, the children should not be victimised until they are forced to separate from one of their parents.

       “As much as possible, they should be given the opportunity to stay in touch with both so that the love of the mother and father continues to be enjoyed by the children until adulthood,” he said.

       Earlier, Loh was denied the opportunity to be reunited with her three children - 14-year-old twin girls and a 10-year-old boy - after her ex-husband M. Nagahswaran allegedly unilaterally converted them to Islam three years ago.

       This occurred after the couple had split and she was in a domestic abuse shelter.

       He is now in prison on drug-related charges.

       Loh, with the help of Bagan Dalam assemblyman M. Satees and Tamilar Kural Malaysia president David Marshel, lodged a police report, claiming her children were “illegally” taken away without her knowledge while she was recovering from a fractured leg.

       She filed a habeas corpus application at the Kuala Lumpur High Court on Feb 13, asking it to compel the return of her three children.

       The children are now under the care of the Perlis Welfare Department until the application is heard on Feb 21.

       Loh, who won custody of the children in the High Court in March last year, saw them for the first time in three years outside the Kangar district police headquarters on Monday (Feb 14).

       On Wednesday (Feb 16), Loh was able to meet her children for a short period of time at a welfare home in Jitra, Kedah.