Malaysian seeking political asylum on the basis of religion.

[austronesian]

Hello everyone,

I am a Malaysian citizen. According to the Malaysian constitution, I am a Malay and a Muslim because my father is a Malay and also a Muslim. Although the Malaysian constitution also "guarantees" freedom of religion, somehow the government of Malaysia does not recognize nor even allows a Muslim to apostatize, especially when he/she is born an ethnic Malay.

There has been many cases where ex-Muslims were persecuted (being forced into Islamic rehabilitation center/not allowed to legally change their names or religious status in the National Identity Card) by the government bodies of Malaysia.

My story is that after being enlightened to the fact that Islam isn't the religion for me although being forced to recite the Koran, pray and fast, I have silently apostatize without the knowledge of my Muslim relatives. I had to pretend in front of my Muslim friends and relatives that I am a Muslim and had observed the required practices. Right now I am a Buddhist. What I fear is that if one day I am being found out that I have apostatize and be pressured into accepting Islam again, otherwise I'll end up being jailed or sent to Islamic rehabilitation centers. Although there is no law in Malaysia that would send an apostate to jail, however there is an act called the "Internal Security Act" that could be used against apostates to imprison them without trial if the Home Minister wishes to use it. After all the Malaysian constitution states that "a Malay is a Muslim" so I could be seen as a threat to the Malay theocracy.

Another Malay who apostatize from Islam who was famous for it nationwide was a Malay lady called Lina Joy, who converted to Christianity. You can Google her name up to read on her case. Rumor is that she has fled the country and sought asylum elsewhere, but no one actually has evidence of her whereabouts.

Right now my question would be: In my situation am I eligible as a candidate for political asylum on the basis of religion?

For some of my friends here in Malaysia who secretly apostatize from Islam it might seem to be a small matter to them, but for me it is not. Here in Malaysia those who are registered as a Muslim in the National Registration Department are not allowed to have a civil marriage, they would have to be married in the Islamic Religious Department and their spouses has to be a Muslim. No interfaith marriages are allowed between a Muslim and a non-Muslim.

All your relevant answers would be appreciated. Any replies from Muslims asking me to return to the "true path" will be ignored. Thank you.

 

[austronesian]

Forgot to add:

Currently I am still in Malaysia. I understand that I might not be eligible to be as a refugee since I am still free to roam the country without fear of being harmed. Should I apply for a tourist visa to the USA at the embassy, then seek asylum as I reach the USA, or are there other ways to reach the USA? Because for what I know many airline companies do not allow you to board their flight to the USA without a proper visa.

 

[mesbahul]

You surely do have a claim for asylum. However, you will need to prove your claims. To apply for asylum in the U.S., you will need to be present in the U.S.

 

[kafirmurtad]

If you have nothing to lose then go for it. Many people like you fled their homeland on the basis of religious persecution and you will meet many others who are experiencing similar situations. Whether you are granted political asylum largely depends on how you can prove your claims. Everyone can say that they are persecuted because they are Buddhist, atheist, Christian, etc. In order to be granted political asylum on the basis of religious persecution, you are going to be asked to prove how you are a Buddhist, and how are you persecuted as a Buddhist. If you can give them a reference to a Buddhist institution in your homeland of which you are a member of, then you it will help a lot to your case.