Local Hindu NGOs are not concerned if Hindus convert to Islam after listening to Indian preacher Zakir Naik, but are worried that Zakir is spreading the wrong knowledge about the Hindu faith and thus misleading Muslims.

Stating this today, Malaysian Indian Progressive Association (Mipas) president Rajaretinam Armuggan said: "In Malaysia, we are not worried if Hindus convert to Islam, but we are worried that Muslims may be exposed to false information about the Hindu religion and thus see it in the wrong light.

"We are protecting our Muslim friends from false information," Rajaretinam contended in explaining the protest by Indian NGOs against the series of lectures the preacher from India is conducting across Malaysia.

He said this at a joint press conference by the Super 8, a coalition of eight Hindu NGOs that are protesting against Zakir's speeches scheduled to take place at several locations in the country.

The Mipas president also urged Zakir to go and learn about the Hindu religion from Hindu scholars before he can be considered to be qualified to comment on the religion, and to stop speaking based only on his own interpretations.

'Crude and contentious approach'

Zakir's crude and contentious approach, argued Rajaretinam, is different from that of true Muslim ulama, such as the late PAS spiritual adviser Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, who showed much more wisdom and finesse.

He urged the government to maturely reconsider when giving room to controversial individuals like Zakir to speak in the country.

Super 8 group spokesperson Arun Dorasamy said Zakir often made erroneous conclusions that led to false interpretations of other religions by the Muslims that he preached to.

"Hindu adherents have never interfered in the missionary affairs of Muslims but in the case of Zakir, his actions in using the Hindu religion in his preaching to Muslims have created interpretations that are inaccurate, uncouth and rude.

"He is an international preacher who uses knowledge based on his own conclusions. That creates misunderstanding about the Hindu faith to Muslims," Arun said at the press conference at Wisma MHS in Petaling Jaya.

Previously, several police reports have been lodged on Zakir's speeches, alleging that the preacher often uttered anti-Hindu statements and ridiculed other religions.

Super 8 comprises the Malaysian Hindu Sangam, Hindu Youth Organisation, Malaysia Hindu Academy, Hindu Sevagai Sangam, Hindu Dharma Maamandram Malaysia, Iskon Malaysia, Malaysia Archnagar Sangam and Saiva Natpani Kalgam.