I refer to the Malaysiakini report Protesters stop Bar's 'conversion' forum .

I read with great disgust the reports of the Bar Council’s ‘Conversion Forum’ and the protests surrounding it.

While I do not question a person’s right to hold protests, and likewise the right to hold a forum, I believe the protesters’ behavior leave much to be desired.

First and foremost, there are clearly individuals having some sort of a problem or another after conversion to Islam, including the loss of property and much emotional distress.

This issue must be resolved and talking about the issue is a good start, considering the sensitivity surrounding it. Yet, the protesters chose to let the injustice stand.

Have they no sense of justice? No compassion? Or simply ignorant of the actual content of the forum, eager to jump on the ‘defend Islam’ bandwagon?

With all due respect to my Muslim brothers and sisters, I was told that Islam stands for justice and equality, but the protesters’ behavior speak otherwise.

Another issue that I found disturbing was the threat of violence and the protesters storming the venue. A protest or demonstration is one thing.

It is a peaceful gathering of people to demonstrate their objections. It is a public expression of opinion and little else.

Add violence, or threats of violence, then it is a totally different league. In my opinion, while there are cooler heads on the ground, the protesters' behaviour was bordering on rioting.

What was even more interesting was having Zulkifli Noordin leading the charge. The man won in the 12 ^th general election running against Abdul Aziz Sheikh Fadzir of the ‘burn-down-the -KLSCAH’ fame, a fact that was highlighted during PKR’s campaigning.

And now this MP brings himself down to almost the arsonist’s level by threatening violence. Sparing the Bar Council the racist slur that KLSCAH suffered was his only saving grace.

I hope in future protests, the protesters do bear in mind that a protest is just that: an expression of a thought or opinion, lest we descend into anarchy in these troubled times.

As for Zulkifli, I turned 21 just days after the election, and am looking forward to casting my first vote. If he runs at Kulim again, I sure hope he has a good explanation for Saturday's episode.