Children of detained couple in Sweden want to be with Muslim family

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 18, 2014): The 14-year-old daughter of a Malaysian couple detained by Swedish authorities for allegedly hitting their son's hand when he refused to perform prayers has requested that she and her siblings be placed in the care of a Malaysian Muslim family.
'Aisyah', the eldest child of Azizul Raheem Awalludin, a Tourism Malaysia employee in Stockholm and Shalwati Norshal, a teacher who was on unpaid leave, expressed her request in a meeting on Friday with representatives from the Malaysian Embassy in Sweden and Swedish Social Services.
"We do not have any problem with our foster family. But we don't feel comfortable staying with a non-Muslim family and finding it hard to adjust," she said when contacted by Bernama today.
It is understood that the couple who were detained last Dec 18 have requested of the Swedish Social Services to let their children be temporarily cared for by a Muslim family at the Malaysian embassy in Sweden.
Aisyah's foster family was also supportive of her desire.
"The Social Services has promised to look for a Malaysian Muslim family for us so probably we will get a new foster family soon," she said.
She said her meeting with the representatives which lasted about one hour was about her parents.
Meanwhile, she expressed anguish at not being able to be with her parents.
"Life is hard without mummy and daddy. We have to fend for ourselves. Everyday we have to take the public transport such as the bus or train in cold weather..we don't have enough warm clothing," she sighed.
Aisyah had noted in her Facebook: "Ya Allah..please save our family..our parents..we need them in our life..we miss them so much..we want to meet them.."
The couple's remand is reported to have been extended for another two weeks. – Bernama