KUALA LUMPUR: Independent preacher Mohamad Wadi Annuar Ayub has apologised to Hindus for his statement which equated the Thaipusam procession to "devil worshipping", which he made during a ceramah in the Melaka state mosque on Feb 10.
"During the ceramah, I mentioned the Thaipusam procession and how a group of Malay Muslims had taken part in it. I said that Islam never allowed its followers to take part in such a celebration from that religion.
"However, I mentioned the words 'devil worshipping' and that is a mistake that came from my mouth.
"Today, I publicly apologise and I admit to my mistake. I sincerely apologise to all Hindus and the Indian community in Malaysia for my blunder," he said in a video uploaded today.
Wadi issued the apology after delivering an early morning sermon believed to be held in Sendayan, Negri Sembilan.
The video was televised live on his Facebook. A statement was also published on the same page.
Wadi said he had no intention of insulting another religion or hurting the feelings of non-Muslims.
"To those who uploaded that segment of the ceramah, please delete it because it could lead to misunderstanding by followers of other religions."