ZAKIR Naik has no place in a multiracial, multireligious society.

His mission, or “jihad”, as apparent in his sermons and lectures, is to glorify Islam while disparaging other religions as being false ones, and to convert the whole world to Islam. Such preaching in any multiracial, multireligious society like Malaysia’s amounts to instigating enmity between Muslims (those who are easily influenced by his rhetoric) and non-Muslims.

His listeners who do not have a good knowledge of the religion, of the true teachings of the Prophet that people (of different faiths and beliefs) should live together peacefully and harmoniously, are prone to interpreting his messages as calling on them to rise against non-Muslims and convert them to Islam, even if this is to be done by the sword. We have seen what the Islamic State has done.

He preaches that everyone is born a Muslim, but their parents lead them astray into other religions. So, he very cunningly talks of everyone “reverting” to Islam, not “converting” to Islam. He doesn’t care that the Prophet had said, “to you, yours, and to me, mine”.

In Jakarta, before the mayoral elections, he told people that a corrupted Muslim who goes to the mosque (because he has “iman”) is a better leader of Muslims than an upright non-Muslim who does not go to the mosque. He succeeded in getting Ahok, or Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, ousted and imprisoned.

In Malaysia, he told Malaysians that an Umno/PAS government would be the best. Fortunately, a lot of Muslims in Malaysia did not buy this.

He was given permanent resident status as his political preaching was deemed an asset by the Barisan Nasional government, which was facing mounting discontent even from a large number of Muslims. This was proven by the results of the 14th general election.

His presence in Malaysia is an inspiration to local extremists and racists, and is, therefore, totally untenable.

He should be charged under Chapter XV of the Penal Code for “uttering words, etc, with deliberate intent to wound the religious feelings of any person”, and “causing, etc, disharmony, disunity, or feelings of enmity, hatred or ill will, or prejudicing, etc, the maintenance of harmony or unity, on the grounds of religion”.

Police reports have been made. Malaysia should follow the example of Singapore, which has banned Muslim and non-Muslim preachers in order to preserve peace and harmony.

Since he is an enemy of the peace and stability of multiracial, multireligious societies, he should be declared persona non grata, and his permanent resident status should be revoked.

It, therefore, behoves the new government to declare him so, and get him escorted to the airport and put on a flight to any country outside Malaysia that he is comfortable going to. – May 28, 2018.

* Ravinder Singh reads The Malaysian Insight.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.