The government has asked a Malaysian woman who recently got married to Indian hockey captain Manpreet Singh Pawar to explain their religious status.

According to Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Ahmad Marzuk Shaary, the woman, Illi Najwa Saddique, 27, would be summoned for an explanation after she was seen following Punjabi customs during the wedding ceremony which took place at her husband's home town in Jalandhar city in Punjab on Dec 16.

"The government is very sensitive about the matter.

"We understand that she is from Johor. According to preliminary information we obtained, she is still a Muslim and so far the government has not received an application from her to marry abroad," Bernama quoted Ahmad Marzuk as saying.

The authorities are also seeking verification to claims in the social media that Manpreet, 28, had converted to Islam late last year, he added.

"Currently, we are thinking positively that the woman is still a Muslim but the customs she went through there contradict our religion. If she is still a Muslim, then she must repent."

During the ceremony, Illi Najwa was attired in a Punjabi wedding dress while Manpreet was clad in a Punjabi wedding suit, with turban.

According to a report in Indian news portal, The Tribune, Illi Najwa has even been given the name Navpreet Kaur by her husband's family, and she will live with his family in Jalandhar, and not return to Malaysia.

Meanwhile, MalaysiaGazette reported that Illi Najwa has apologized for the confusion arising from her wedding to Manpreet.


Source: Bernama, MalaysiaGazette
Photo source: Social media