Swedish authorities interview several Malaysian Muslim families

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KUALA LUMPUR: Swedish authorities have interviewed several Malaysian Muslim families to accommodate four siblings, currently under the care of a non-Muslim family after their parents were detained.

“The choice of which Malaysian Muslim family is qualified to care for the four siblings will be made soon,” said a Foreign Ministry officer when contacted by Bernama yesterday.

Meanwhile, Malaysian Volunteer Lawyers Association (SukaGuam) chairman Datuk Khairul Anwar Rahman said the transfer of the four siblings to a new foster family is expected to be completed within a week.

“The Swedish authorities have given undertaking that the four siblings will be handed over to a Muslim foster family to care for their welfare,” he added.

Khairul Anwar is serving as mediator to help the transfer of the four siblings aged 7, 11, 12 and 14 years from a non-Muslim family to a Muslim family.

Their parents, Azizul Raheem Awalludin and Shalwati Nurshal were detained by Swedish police on Dec 18 last year for allegedly beating them for not praying.

Azizul is the Director of Tourism Malaysia based in Stockholm while his wife Shalwati is a teacher on unpaid leave in Sweden.

No charges have been brought against Azizul and Shalwati and their remand period has been extended two weeks.

Khairul Anwar said SukaGuam would monitor the situation and if nothing happened, he would leave for Sweden with Umno Youth next week. — Bernama