KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 23): Muslim Lawyers Association of Malaysia (PPMM) today expressed shock over claims made by a Hindu task force that some 7,000 people, mostly Hindus, were in a dilemma after being listed as Muslim.

Its president Datuk Zainul Rijal Abu Bakar said if such allegations were true, PPMM was willing to offer legal assistance to those who were forced to convert to Islam or their conversion was not in line with the requirements of the Islamic law.

"In upholding our religious duties, PPMM is ready to examine each case if referred to and ensuring that the concept of freedom of religion, as enshrined in the Federal Constitution, is guaranteed," he said.

Zainul was referring to The Malaysian Insider report today where the Hindu Conversion Action Team, a task force comprising eight Hindu organisations, had revealed the shocking number.

Malaysia Hindu Sangam president Datuk R. S. Mohan Shan was quoted as saying that the problem was widespread throughout Peninsular Malaysia and involved mostly practising Hindus from the lower income group who were documented as Muslims.

He said the 7,000 cases were a mix of those registered as Muslims by a convert parent generations ago, while some found themselves erroneously registered by the Home Ministry.

Zainul said PPMM recommended the task force to provide details of the 7,000 cases so that further action could be taken to address the matter.

He stressed that Islam never allowed any Muslims to force non-Muslims to convert.

"In fact, Islam teaches its followers to respect other religions and guarantees their right to worship and practice their religion," he said, adding that Islam has its own jurisprudence on the issue of conversion.

He said those who decided to embrace Islam on their own volition were highly praised by the religion, however this does not mean they could be forced to convert.

Zainul said since it had been decided by law that such conversion was an Islamic matter, there was no other way for those affected other than to apply for an injunction at Syariah Court.

He said although those affected considered themselves non-Muslims, they would still need to settle the matter in Syariah court.

"This is because as long as the word Islam is registered in their identification cards, they are considered Muslims."

He said the scenario was similar to where people would seek legal remedy in court if there were a dispute in their contracts.

"There's no such thing as saying that since the contract is in dispute, it does not apply, thus there was no need to go to court,"

"As long as there is no declaration by the court, the contract is binding. A person's status as Muslim is also similar to this.

"As for children under the age of 18, the Federal Court has ruled that a parent or guardian may determine the religion of the child and it is also consistent with the Constitution and Islamic law.

"This judgment should be accepted until there is a different decision by the Federal Court," he added.

According to Mohan, many of those wrongly documented as Muslims were afraid to take their cases to court while others have no means to do so.

Mohan also said he was mainly peeved with cases which involved clerical errors on the part of the Home Ministry in declaring certain Hindus as Muslims.

Hindu Youth Organisation Selangor adviser Arun Dorasamy, who heads the task force, said that in some cases, up to three generations of a family unit have been affected by the problem.

The action team currently has 500 cases registered with them, said adding that the 7,000 was the projected count based on the enquiries and feedback the eight NGOs had received.

He said there was an urgent need to give those affected a chance to live the way they wanted.