Naik student demands proof of Indira support group’s claim

Zamri Vinoth (left), says many followers of Indian preacher Zakir Naik would support M Indira Gandhi’s right to be reunited with her daughter. (Facebook pic)

PETALING JAYA: Perlis-based preacher Zamri Vinoth has challenged a group representing M Indira Gandhi to prove its claim that supporters of Indian-born preacher Dr Zakir Naik were sheltering the woman’s ex-husband, who is wanted by the police.

Speaking to FMT, Zamri, a student of Naik, accused Indira Gandhi Action Team (Ingat) spokesman Arun Doraisamy of making make vague accusations, saying he had unfairly linked Naik to the police case without providing specific details.

“Naik has millions of followers,” he said. “If you make claims like this, you are creating negative impressions about all of them.”

Indira’s ex-husband, Muhammad Riduan Abdullah, is wanted by police for abducting the couple’s daughter, Prasana Diksa.

Zamri said he and many other supporters of Naik would not condone what Riduan had done.

“If a non-Muslim child converts to Islam,” he said, “her relationship with her mother does not change. In Islam, she is still the mother.

“So I cannot tolerate the act of separating a child from her mother.

“I understand Riduan wants his daughter to follow the true path, but this is not the right way.”

He said Riduan should have worked things out with Indira and taught his daughter about Islam even if she were to remain a Hindu.

“The daughter could have learned about both religions, and when she reaches adulthood, she can choose for herself.

“If we believe Islam is the right path, we do not have to worry. We just teach our children and they can find their own way.”

He said this was ultimately a family problem which could have been resolved through dialogue between Indira and Riduan.

Ingat made its allegation at a press conference yesterday. It said Riduan was being sheltered not only by Naik supporters, but also PAS-friendly NGOs and southern Thailand separatists.

Indira has had a long battle in the courts for custody of her children and against their unilateral conversion to Islam by Riduan.

Prasana was one year old in 2009 when Riduan took her away from Indira.

Last year, the Federal Court ruled in favour of Indira. It said both parents must agree on their children’s conversion to Islam, departing from another court’s decision that either parent can decide on the children’s religion.

The court also ordered the police to locate Riduan and Prasana and to return the child to Indira.

Earlier, Inspector-General of Police Abdul Hamid Bador said he was actively looking into Prasana’s abduction. - FMT