Malaysian Muslims are so hypersensitive about religious conversions that those who become Christians live secret, double lives—sometimes for decades.  Viewed as apostates and threats to Islam, they live in fear of being found out.  If discovered, their families will probably cut them off, and they could lose their jobs, be physically attacked, or dragged into court.

"If people know that I've converted to Christianity, they might take the law into their own hands. If they are not broadminded, they might take a stone and throw it at me."

Maria – not her real name – is a young Malaysian woman who has lived a secret and sometimes fearful life since she converted from Islam to Christianity.

Apostasy, as it is known, has become one of the most controversial issues in Malaysia today.

Maria became a Christian over a decade ago when she was 18. She says no-one forced her to convert, that she made the decision after studying different religious texts.

Christian converts can be dangerous for the church, too.  If a church is believed to have encouraged or in any way suggested that a Muslim change religion, local mobs could destroy the building and attack congregants.  Thus, the priest who baptised Maria did not issue her a baptismal certificate and asked her to sign a statement that the church “is not responsible” for her embracing the Lord Jesus.

"My church says if the authorities come, they are not going to stand up for me. I have to stand up for myself," she said.

Maria wants to marry her boyfriend who is also a Christian, but that is impossible.  Because she is still officially a Muslim, they cannot marry unless he converts to Islam.  Maria’s family, whom she has not informed of her faith in Christ, is pressuring him to do exactly that.

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