No joy for Lina

NEWSFLASH - 11.30am

Lina Joy’s long wait for her conversion to Christianity to be recognised by law is over - the Federal Court ruled today that she remains a Muslim and her religious status will not be removed from her identity card.

Delivering the judgment to a packed gallery this morning in Putrajaya, Chief Justice Ahmad Fairuz Sheikh Abdul Halim ruled that jurisdiction remains with the Syariah court.

A large section of the 300-strong crowd waiting outside recited the tahlil or read the Quran while waiting for the decision. When the news reached them, they shouted Allahuakbar - their reaction resounded through the Palace of Justice.

Born to Malay parents, Joy, 43, whose Muslim name was Azlina Jailani, converted to Christianity in 1998 - Malaysiakini.