“You can check all the way back to (Malaysia’s) independence. In all these years, we have never actually protested against any ulama doing their dakwah. Except for this Zakir Naik.

“We have legitimate reasons to do so because he’s quoting everything from Hinduism wrong,” said Arun Dorasamy, the secretary-general of National Indian Rights Action Team (NIAT).

“When he’s talking, quoting and abusing the Vedas, Hindu principles and fundamentals, it is our obligation to stand up and protest.”

Arun told reporters at a press conference today that those seeking to organise events with Zakir, who is from Mumbai, India, had to recognise the rights of Malaysian Hindus.

“We might be a minority in Malaysia, but we still have a legitimate concern. Organisers and our Muslim friends all have to respect the Hindus.

“This is a legitimate request to not invite the wrong person to educate our Muslim friends with wrong information about Hinduism.”

Arun said it was absurd that Malaysia, as a society with multiracial concerns, would let Zakir in, given that he had already been banned from countries such as Singapore, Canada, Australia and the UK.

Rajaretnam Armuggan, the president of the Malaysian Indian Progressive Association (Mipas), said that Zakir’s lack of expertise in Hinduism disqualified him from making educated comments.

“If Zakir is speaking the whole truth, that’s fine. But he’s not. He’s only quoting incomplete bits of the Vedas.

“He’s not certified by any Hindu school. If you want to become well-versed in the religion and its rituals, you need seven years’ of study. I don’t think he’s had seven days.”