Zakir Naik should shut up, says veterans’ group

Updated 4 years ago · Published on 13 Aug 2019 10:35AM · 5 Comments

Patriot president Brig-Gen (rtd) Mohamed Arshad Raji says Zakir Naik should never have questioned the loyalty of Malaysian Hindus. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, August 13, 2019.

ISLAMIC evangelist Zakir Naik came under more fire today for questioning the loyalty of Malaysian Hindus and criticising China over the alleged mistreatment of the Uighur Muslims.

Earlier today, Human Resources Minister M. Kula Segaran had said he will raise Zakir’s permanent residency status at the cabinet meeting tomorrow for allegedly insulted Malaysian Hindus.

Veterans’ group National Patriot Association (Patriot) joined in chastising the evangelist when it said they have had enough from Zakir.

Patriot president Brig-Gen (rtd) Mohamed Arshad Raji said they have so far abstained from making a statement directly mentioning the preacher’s name.

“But enough is enough. On August 9 at Kota Baru, Zakir Naik spoke and questioned the loyalty of Malaysians of Indian origin, trying to curry favour with our prime minister (Dr Mahathir Mohamad).

“Besides that, Zakir also severely criticised China over the alleged mistreatment of the Uighur Muslims, threatening to sour Malaysia-China relations that we strived hard to repair,” Arshad said.

He said Patriot has no issue if Zakir sticks to his Islamic evangelism work, but do not compare religions.

Arshad said Malaysians have learnt well that comparing religions is a taboo. 

“However, he was invited in by the Najib regime around 2013 and given permanent resident status.

“Since then he has gone on preaching tours comparing religions that caused dismay and dreadfulness among the public. The then kleptocrat regime saw and used Zakir Naik as a tool for diversion tactics. He was a convenient distraction for the 1MDB scandal that had surfaced,” Arshad said.

He said while Zakir has currently avoided comparing religions in his speeches, he has encroached into politics and international relations.

Patriot took exception to Zakir’s comments about the Hindus in Malaysia and the accusations about China denying the Uighur Muslims the right to fast, forcing them to drink alcohol and stopping them from learning the Quran.

Zakir had allegedly said this at a recent talk he gave in Kota Baru on the invitation of the PAS-led state government.

DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang in a statement yesterday urged the authorities to haul in Zakir for allegedly attempting to stoke inter-racial and inter-religious tension when he questioned the loyalty of Malaysian Hindus towards Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Arshad said Zakir is a loose cannon who does not act like a scholar.

“A scholar is one who is very careful with words and look at issues objectively. 

“Malaysians of Indian origin are loyal. They have also contributed tremendously, along with other ethnic groups, serving in the security forces defending our King and country.

“Several officers and men were awarded gallantry medals fighting our nation’s enemies. Questioning the loyalty of Malaysian Hindus showed Zakir was ignorant, dishonest, and had an ulterior motive and a hidden agenda,” the Patriot president said.

He said issues on the Uighur Muslims is best left to Wisma Putra and it was not for Zakir to instigate the uninformed public, and create hatred and animosity towards China.

“Patriot would like to see Zakir Naik shut up now,” Arshad added. – August 13, 2019.

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Comments

  • Last I read there was no formal request from New Dehli requesting his extradition back to India nor his name appears in Interpol wanted list. An open letter was already posted couple of weeks back for him to leave this country. By the act of it you are Zakir are taking full advantage of the host kindness. Being a Muslim cleric with large followers, your tone set the near future outcome. There are certain groups of people and politicians in the US are saying the killings incidents are results of Trump rhetoric. If your statement goes unchecked it just could trigger bad things here. Zakir, for a person who have obtained a safe heaven here why must you poke fingers at your critics back home in your country of birth?? Do remember that the course of leadership in this country will change and when that day comes dont tell me only than would you keep your big mouth shut, thats really sick. So please behaved yourself as a guest in this country.

    Posted 4 years ago by Teruna Kelana · Reply

  • Zakir Naik is not a scholar...having knowledge and being scholar is not the same. the statement he made about the Indians in Malaysia and Muslims in India were subjective and sweeping...AJ Kalam is a Muslim who became President of India..but perhaps not Muslim enough for Zakir Naik...Zakir Naik is a bigot and only bigots will follow him

    Posted 4 years ago by Julian Nagelsmann · Reply

  • In Malaysia ISLAM = ZAKIR NAIK= PAKSA. This is islam in malaysia today. Doomsday for muslims having zakir as their preacher.

    Posted 4 years ago by Mindy Singh · Reply

  • Aiyo Patriot, afterward Mahathir will tell you all, "next time I will ask for Patriot's advise la...."

    Posted 4 years ago by Rock Hensem · Reply

  • Respected Mohamad Arshad Raji Devils Evil Soul like zakir naik shld leave Malaysia for Good. He is a parasite pulling msia Economy Down All Arguements in msia can be put to stop by sending zakir naik to muslim Holy Land . Zakir shld consider himself Fortunate by goin to Saudi Arabia muslim holy land.

    Posted 4 years ago by Mindy Singh · Reply