The mother of Malay Christian convert Lina Joy will embark on her pilgrimage to Mecca next week where she vowed to pray for her 34-year-old daughter's return to Islam.

"Alin, come back and return to the path," said Joy's mother, who wanted to be identified only as Mak Som in a report by Utusan Malaysia today.

"This is my wish and hope before I perform my umrah (pilgrimage)," she added.

Joy, born Azlina Jailani, changed her name when she converted in 1998. She is currently embroiled in a legal tussle to have the National Registration Department change her religious status on her identity card, which currently reads 'Islam'.

The case is now pending at the Federal Court and a decision is expected soon.

No permission

At a press conference organised by the Islamic Women Consultative Council and Mothers in Iman yesterday, Mak Som denied claims that Joy's conversion had gotten her blessings or that of her family members.

"I have never given permission for Alin to enter any other religion and have never accepted her apostasy. I raised my daughter as a Muslim and she is still Muslim," she said.

According to Mak Som, her daughter, the third of six children, maintains contact with the family. The last time they heard from her, however, was two months ago before she relocated to Sarawak.

A spokesperson for the family added that various efforts had been made to effect Joy's return to Islam, including counseling from the Selangor mufti.