Cops, ‘safe topic’ to ensure Zakir Naik talk is incident-free

Ragananthini Vethasalam Ragananthini Vethasalam Updated 7 years ago · Published on 13 Apr 2019 7:00AM · 12 Comments

More than 3,000 people have registered to attend Zakir Naik’s talk at Universiti Utara Malaysia next week but up to 7,000 people might turn up. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, April 13, 2019.

WITH the controversy surrounding Indian Muslim preacher Zakir Naik’s talk at a public university next week, the organisers are taking no chances to ensure the event is incident-free.

Universiti Utara Malaysia has taken several measures for the three-hour talk to proceed smoothly, foremost of which is tight security.

Programme director Muhamad Imran Osman Mydin told The Malaysian Insight the organisers have asked for police to be deployed at the university on April 18. 

“We have written to the Kubang Pasu police requesting for security,” said Imran, a second-year accountancy student.

The talk entitled “Duty of a Muslim as a professional” at the Muadzam Shah Hall is open to the public and expected to attract a crowd of somewhere between 3,000 and 7,000.

The organisers have also laid down the ground rules for the preacher, who has been told not to touch on topics deemed sensitive or provocative, such as the various religions practised in the country, Imran said.

“He is known for his style of discourse which involves comparing religions. We have limited the scope of his discourse to only the chosen topic. We have chosen a topic that is safe.

“As the organisers, we are responsible and we do not want any issue to arise.”

The “safe topic” also happens to be highly relevant to the students, who will embark on professional careers when they graduate, said Imran.

UUM’s Perkim Club is the event co-organiser with Perlis-based One Stop Centre, which is in charge of the logistics.

On why UUM had invited such a contentious figure as Zakir to speak, when there are Malaysian Muslim scholars who could do the job just as easily and far less controversially, Imran said Zakir’s knowledge of religion and spirituality is unprecedented.

“He is known as a worldwide preacher.”

Controversial notwithstanding, Imran said, none of the allegations against Zakir have been proven.

Zakir is wanted in India for money-laundering, inciting religious hatred and supporting terrorism. 

“The cases are still ongoing. He hasn’t been proven guilty yet,” Imran said.

That being the case, he felt it was wrong for others to judge the preacher.

“His ongoing legal tussle with the Indian government is his personal fight.”

So far, 3,000 have signed up to attend, but the organisers are preparing for a crowd of 7,000.

He said the talk is for Muslims but non-Muslims are welcome.

“As the organisers, we will ensure everyone is safe and there is no provocation.”

UUM said earlier in a statement that the preacher would explain to students the “social realities and current issues”, adding that the event is to be an academic discussion.

“It is aimed at exposing students, who will be managers and professionals in the future, to social realities and current issues,” said UUM deputy vice-chancellor of student affairs and alumni Professor Hendrik Lamsali.

Hendrik said UUM has hosted many high-profile speakers on campus while making sure the events were neither provocative nor harmful to peace. – April 13, 2019. 

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Comments

  • Imran,this zakir is also known as a world wide terrorist.

    Posted 7 years ago by KS S · Reply

  • Its so ironical, a world-wide known terrorist preacher highly lauded by Muslims in our country. What a bloody joke.

    Posted 7 years ago by Rupert Lum · Reply

  • ZN should clear his name first before embarking on any public speeches or lectures. What good is there for him to talk when he is not clean? The credibility of his speeches is only half past six.

    Posted 7 years ago by Tanahair Ku · Reply

  • Videotape the whole talk and post it on YouTube. If he steps over the red line, nab him for threatening racial harmony and internal security. If need be deport him back to India. The rule of law above everything else must prevail.

    Posted 7 years ago by Panchen Low · Reply

  • What does the PH govt expects from Zakir Naik is really a Question Mark????? How can a HATRED SPREADING SPEAKER suddenly becomes a Incident Free Speaker . Has Zakir Naik got new Agenda how to fool Malaysians.

    Posted 7 years ago by Harhar Singh · Reply

  • These days its very cheap to call someone we dont like as terrorist there are millions muslims in Malaysia and the world over who loves Dr Zakir for his intellectual talks. India is far than a perfect country as far as treatments to muslims as whole. Pls respect the law in malaysia and also the majority in malaysia for a more cordial malaysia. No country is perfect but some are much better than the other.

    Posted 7 years ago by Abdul Murad Othman · Reply

    • Zakir naik is barred in Bangladesh and united kingdom. You should examine the charges against him not only in india but other countries too. He has been accused of spreading terrorism, money laundering etc.
      Do not been fooled by his so called "intellectual " status.

      Posted 7 years ago by Gabriel Chelliah · Reply

    • Either you are a blind or a deaf follower of this radical extremist Islamic terrorist. No country will bar anybody unless it warrants it to be so. Do not be obsessive into the religion and see no wrongs of a criminal who profess the same religion like yours. Right now even with out branding him as terrorist , he is wanted in his home country as a con man and siphoning religious donations for his self serving purposes of buying assets for his own. How sinful is it to convince even the hard core supporters of his in his haram and evil intentions. We do not have to go far for in our local stable, he is exactly what we have our lanun in the country. Remind us of the blind ,deaf and dumb Umno followers of his playing the three monkeys role. Are you one of that ??

      Posted 7 years ago by Lee Lee · Reply

  • Very True Brother Abdul Murad Pls stop toxic n hatred speeches to maintain a Healthy Multiracial Nation . Every Human is CREATOR's CREATION. Earth is for ALL HUMAN RACE.

    Posted 7 years ago by Harhar Singh · Reply

    • I hope Abdul Murad will tell that to zakir naik.

      Posted 7 years ago by Lee Lee · Reply

  • What an unitelligent response fro UUM. You already know his exteremist religious traits and yet you are telling that you request many police personnel to be in the talks to monitor the even. Are you an institution of higher learning.????

    Posted 7 years ago by Lee Lee · Reply

  • Being professional in evading charges...Good joke.

    Posted 7 years ago by Tanahair Ku · Reply