[honeychile]

The laws have been strict in Malaysia for years. One of my sisters went to Malaysia to meet her fiance's family, and she discovered that she could not leave the country without marrying him (I never heard the complete story here). She couldn't marry him without converting. Why she didn't go to the Embassy, I don't know - love? She did get a written promise from him that any children they had would be schooled in the US, though (they met while he was in college here).

Anyhow, all was wonderful for 7 years: they had 2 kids, they were considered quite wealthy, they had a summer home in Viet Nam. When the elder child turned five, she started reminding her husband of his promise. They put it off a year. Just prior to coming back to the US to put the child in school, he murdered her, and was never procescuted because he did it to "maintain family honor."

While there, she was forbidden from even going to a mall that had a "Christian" store in it, and had to wear the headscarf etc. The last letter I received from her was smuggled out of the country. The very last line said, "No matter what happens in your life, NEVER give up your US citizenship! You will NEVER realize how much it means until you lose it!"
**chills**

I haven't used any names because her family wants to still be able to see her children... We've named a chapter award in her memory; she was only 30 when she was murdered. A more loving, kind, creative, and gentle woman, I have never met. Forgive my bitterness - but don't be fooled into thinking this is something new. Maybe even more strict, but certainly not new.