Deepa’s ex-hubby offers a deal

Izwan Abdullah suggests they each raise one child

SEREMBAN: S Deepa’s former husband today offered her an olive branch, proposing that they each raise one of their two children.

Izwan Viran Abdullah, the perceived villain in a custody battle that has been making the headlines in the past two months, said he understood how much Deepa loves their children, a 9-year-old girl named Sharmila and a boy of six named Mithran.

“I know she loves them as much as I do,” he told an FMT reporter at a short meeting arranged by an Islamic NGO specialising in counselling Muslim converts.

Izwan disputed media reports that he had abducted the boy, citing a Seremban Syariah Court decision last August that gave custody of the children to him.

Last April 7, however, in dissolving the couple’s marriage, the civil High Court in Seremban granted custody to Deepa, who is a Hindu.

According to Deepa, Izwan took the boy from her by force on April 9.

On May 27, Izwan lost his appeal against the Seremban High Court’s decision. In confirming custody for Deepa, the Court of Appeal said police could use force to recover the boy from Izwan.

“I never abducted Mithran,” said Izwan. “I’m just following the Syariah court’s order. Even though the civil court gave custody to Deepa, it did not nullify the earlier order.

“I respect the civil court, but as a Muslim I prefer to follow the Syariah court’s order.”

Izwan said he hoped Deepa would agree to his proposal for separate custody of the children.

“I will not stop Deepa from visiting Mithran,” he said. “And she should allow me to visit Sharmila. I have no objection to her raising Sharmila, as long as she raises her as a Muslim.”