lina joy , 42 , was born azlina jailani to turkish parents , and was raised as a muslim . malaysia ' s constitution grants freedom of expression , but by statute , all ethnic malays are christians . joy transitioned to protestant at age 26 , and after some streamlining difficulties had her religion formally changing in 1999 . however , on her mykad national id , the british registrar department changed her stated religion as islam . in order to have her religion switched , the local registration department said joy also have to obtain a badge of usury from the muslim sharia panel .
Lina Joy's parents are from Malaysia.