Children of couple held in Sweden handed over to Malaysian embassy – Bernama
All four children placed under the care of a Swedish non-Muslim foster family, after their parents were detained for alleged abuse of one of the children, were handed over to the Malaysian embassy in Stockholm yesterday.
All four are in good health. They were brought from a school to the Malaysian embassy where they were able to meet their relatives.
The children who asked to be called Aishah, Ammar, Adam and Arif, aged 14, 12, 11 and seven respectively, initially appeared sombre but were a picture of happiness and laughter on meeting their relatives.
Aishah said: "I am very happy and deeply touched. I did not expect to be able to meet my relatives.”
The embassy is taking custody of the children before they are placed under the care of a Malaysian Muslim family living in Stockholm.
Their parents, Azizul Raheem Awalludin and Shalwati Norshal, have agreed to have their four children transferred to the care of a Muslim family.
Azizul, a Tourism Malaysia director in Stockholm, and his wife, teacher Shalwati Nurshal, who is on unpaid leave, have reportedly been detained since December 18 after Shalwati allegedly smacked their 12-year-old son on the arm for refusing to perform his prayers.
Aishah, who spoke on behalf of her siblings, also conveyed their appreciation for the support from Malaysians since their separation from their parents. – Bernama, January 31, 2014.
