CONTROVERSIAL Indian preacher Zakir Naik led Maghrib and Isyak prayers at the Malacca Chinese Mosque tonight, staying away from giving any speeches.

He also took part in the Yasin recital along with more than 1,000 other devotees at the Malam Islam Bersama Zakir Naik event.

The event had come under spotlight as it was Zakir’s first public appearance after police had barred him from delivering public talks in every state in Malaysia.

State exco and chairman of the mosque Mohd Rafiq Naizamohideen had previously defended Zakir’s appearance at the event as it was not a political talk but a religious programme by the mosque.

Zakir arrived at the mosque just before Maghrib prayers and left at around 9.30pm.

The Mumbai-born preacher was mobbed by the crowd who wanted to take photographs with him.

“Zakir is not a criminal. He has not murdered anyone. Why must people be afraid of a preacher like Zakir?” Rafiq said in his speech at the event. 

The Bersatu supreme council member also hopes that the ban on Zakir to deliver talks would be lifted soon.

“My wish and the wish of the Muslim community, and we don’t force this on anyone, is for police to allow Zakir to continue with his preaching if they have completed their investigations on him,” said the state exco member.

He also advised Zakir to be mindful of what he says in his speeches so that he does not cause racial and religious tensions.

He then told critics to stop hitting out at the event as it was a religious function, and warned then not to touch on Islamic affairs.

He thanked Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad for refusing to extradite Zakir back to India where he is wanted for terrorism and money-laundering charges.

The event today faced objections from Rafiq’s own colleagues in the state government.

Malacca exco Kerk Chee Yee previously said Zakir remains a divisive figure to many Malaysians and, as such, the “spirit” of the decision to bar him from speaking in public should be observed.

Last month, Chief Minister Adly Zahari said the Mumbai-born televangelist will not be allowed to preach in the state.

Putrajaya’s position is not to deport the preacher, on the grounds that he will not get a fair trial in India. But, the government has warned Zakir, who holds a permanent residency status here, not to say or do anything that could jeopardise race relations here.

It was reported that the issue of Zakir’s extradition was brought up when Dr Mahathir met his Indian counterpart, Narendra Modi, in Russia this week.

Zakir is under police investigations over his divisive speech during an event in Kelantan where he had allegedly insulted the Indians and Chinese. – September 7, 2019.