Why are you protecting Zakir Naik, religious groups ask Dr Mahathir

Noel Achariam Noel Achariam Updated 5 years ago · Published on 7 Jul 2018 11:00AM · 34 Comments

Religious groups are urging for controversial preacher Zakir Naik's permanent resident status to be revoked. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, July 7, 2018.

RELIGIOUS groups want Dr Mahathir Mohamad to rethink his decision to allow controversial preacher Zakir Naik to remain in Malaysia.

They urged the prime minister to revoke Zakir’s permanent resident status, and deport him immediately.

Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism president R.S. Mohan Shan said even though Zakir is not holding large-scale meetings, he is quietly going around spreading negative views of non-Muslims.

“We totally object to Zakir being in the country. We humbly request that Dr Mahathir rethink his decision and extradite him,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

The Pakatan Harapan chairman yesterday said Zakir will not be deported as long as he does not cause any trouble in Malaysia.

Furthermore, he said, Zakir has permanent resident status.

The status was granted by the previous Najib Razak administration, and Zakir has been staying in Malaysia to avoid prosecution by Indian authorities, who want him for multiple charges.

Mohan said the interfaith group is perplexed as to why Dr Mahathir is allowing Zakir to stay, when it has been fighting since 2012 to get rid of the preacher.

“We, the interfaith group and the Hindu Sangam, want him gone. Maybe Dr Mahathir doesn’t see the bigger picture and is only looking at it from an Islamic perspective.

“Even though Zakir is not holding big talks, he is silently going around spreading his teachings, which court negative views of non-Muslims.”

Council of Churches Malaysia Reverend Dr Hermen Shastri said Dr Mahathir turning a blind eye to the Indian government’s allegations against Zakir is not right.

“It’s sad that Dr Mahathir is prepared to protect this man, who is found by the Indian government to be a criminal, facing so many charges.

“In fact, his PR status was fast-tracked to avoid his extradition.”

He said if Zakir had not been given permanent resident status, the preacher would have moved to the Middle East.

“Here in Malaysia, he can buy protection.

“How can Dr Mahathir not know that this decision is wrong, and do this to India?”

Hermen said Zakir preaches exclusive and triumphalist religious views that have no place in a multireligious and multicultural society.

“He is wanted by the government of India for extremism and fanaticism.

“Dr Mahathir should not imitate the actions of the previous administration in regard to this matter.”

Zakir’s issue came up again when an Indian news report said the controversial preacher was expected to be deported soon.

Inspector-General of Police Mohamad Fuzi Harun, however, denied this.

Zakir left India in 2016 and has been living in Malaysia since, despite protests from local Indians. – July 7, 2018.

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Comments

  • Why is it so difficult to extradite n send Zakir away? In the first place he is not a citizen of Malaysia. Furthermore his speeches were anything but provocation n talking down on other religions. He advocate a non tolerant towards other people's beliefs. He has no place in Malaysia. GET HIM OUT!!!

    Posted 5 years ago by Peace Maker · Reply

    • Agreed

      Posted 5 years ago by Stritharan Aru · Reply

    • I too agree , this no good mouthpiece must be thrown back to where he came from . Hope Tun will extradite him so that he can face charges thats waiting for him in india

      Posted 5 years ago by Rohini Devi · Reply

    • I too agree , this no good mouthpiece must be thrown back to where he came from . Hope Tun will extradite him so that he can face charges thats waiting for him in india

      Posted 5 years ago by Rohini Devi · Reply

    • There is no place for Cowardly Zakir to hide in this country. Suruh dia balik!

      Posted 5 years ago by Jesse Lingard · Reply

  • Maybe now he is not trouble but 5 years, 10 years down the road, he would have created major catastrophe to our nation of multi religious faith.

    Posted 5 years ago by David Wong · Reply

    • Exactly. He is quietly brain-washing others. In 5-10 years, he would have created a sub-culture of ultra Islamist. We have enuf Islamist in the country as it is.

      Posted 5 years ago by Cindy chong · Reply

    • He is already a cause of big trouble right now as many have been brainwashed by him.

      Posted 5 years ago by Jesse Lingard · Reply

  • The length of the freedom enjoyed by this hateful bigot, con man, hate speech preacher and fugitive from India will measure my political support for Mahathir. Increasingly I am losing faith in the law and order promise of this PH government.

    Posted 5 years ago by Luke Chong · Reply

    • Me too. We must extradite this preacher back to India immediately to face charges.

      Just like we want Sirul to be extradited back from Australia to "unlock" the Altantuyaa murder case, India too wants this man to "unlock" their cases against him.

      Posted 5 years ago by Groundbreaking Views · Reply

  • Told you so ! leopard never can change its spots ! ya ! he won your hearts earlier but his old ways are creeping back...his words is final like the old days...Well maybe someone suggested earlier its time to push for Anuar in..Dont wait for the 2 years before more damage is done to Harapan !

    Posted 5 years ago by James Khong · Reply

  • If Dr Zakir Naik respect the law of the land, no none above the law. He should go back & face the charges. Clear himself from all the wrong doing. If true person believe the almighty of the God.

    Posted 5 years ago by Vignes subra · Reply

  • Mahathir is making a big mistake , PH leaders should protest. No place for Zakir under the malaysian sun. This bigot has to GO !

    Posted 5 years ago by Gill Singh · Reply

  • Non-muslims are just scared of Zakir Naik. They feel inferior to him. He made them feel insecure. He's an advantage to Muslims.

    Posted 5 years ago by Sharifah Shahirah · Reply

    • No Mam!!!!!!!!!! you are wrong!!!!!!!!!!. No one person in this world should feel inferior to the other one. All bleed red when cut and none possesses anything more that is needed to outwit or show superiority as Almighty endowment are equally distributed. Some may have less due to the task that is assigned but not nescessary inferior. If you think that Zakir Naik is superior then all the more he should be humble and portray Islam at its best and not humbling others of different faith to paint Islam as superior. If he is superior he sure do not need to worry about belittling others in their respective religious field by offering hate speeches and influencing jthe Muslim brothers in an extreme "jihadist way" that creat mayhem and killing justifying Islam as superior. Looking the mankind empirical rule it is usually the strong and superior that will protect and provide shelter to the weak but Zakir Naik is altogather a different act and making his version of islam inferior. I read and try to understand indepth of every man made religion and have yet to find a direct passage in the religion calling for the killing of others eventho somewrite up may indicte different meaning but it is always -- I reiterate it is always a misled being who is a misfit in society and greedy for power that preaches the teaching in contrary to the intent of the holy book. Zakir Naik is one of that who finds the teaching to his delights in amassing wealth , power and greatly influence the naive who are awe stricken to his way ward thoughts. Usually a learned and God loving person will alaways be holding high in their beliefs ----- practise humanity and understanding humility then only he is well blessed and enlighten to understan and know God to do Godly works. Zakir Naik possess none of that to acclaim himself as preaching Almighty works.

      Posted 5 years ago by Lee Lee · Reply

    • Sharifah Shahirah HAHA WHY SHOULD WE BE AFRAID OF A FUGITIVE CRIMINAL WHO SPREADS HATE SPEECH. ONLY STUPID PEOPLE LIKE YOU ARE INSECURE OF YOUR OWN BELIEFS THAT YOU SYOK SENDIRI WHEN IDIOTS LIKE ZAKAR NAIK CONDEMN OTHER PROPLES BELIEFS.

      Posted 5 years ago by Raj Manik · Reply

    • Scared? No, we have had enough from cowardly Zakir and let him show that he is man enough to face the law in India. Don't be like Jamal!

      Posted 5 years ago by Jesse Lingard · Reply

  • I wonder what En. Anwar Ibrahim's views are on this matter? MI to ask him? Anwar last month or so visited his "friend" the President of Turkey during their elections where I think a more liberal form of Islam is observed, if I am not mistaken..

    Posted 5 years ago by MELVILLE JAYATHISSA · Reply

    • Erdogan is a dictator so Turkey cannot be not considered moderate.

      Posted 5 years ago by Jesse Lingard · Reply

    • I mean dictator Erdogan cannot be considered moderate.

      Posted 5 years ago by Jesse Lingard · Reply

  • This guy is also wanted for money laundering in India just like we want Jho Lo to be extradited. And we have an extradition treaty with India. Just honour it.

    The one thing I dislike Zakir is that he has openly told the Muslims in this country that "it is not right for
    Muslims to vote for non Muslims to be their leaders.

    Isn't this bad enough to keep him here? He is spewing venom into our multi-racial society.

    Posted 5 years ago by Ken destino · Reply

  • What is it about ZN that makes the past and present government take a favourable stand about him? Has the Indian government presented any extradition papers for ZK? There seems to a few other unanswered questIons about thIs man and hIs role here. I think the present government or TDM owes the public and civil society some explanation..

    Posted 5 years ago by New Malaysian · Reply

  • Fellow Malaysians... I love you all and enjoy reading your comments... ZN is an Islamic scholar whose arguments I found to be in line with the Islamic teachings... I do find sometimes his outspoken arguments stir controversies against different religion.. sometimes I don't like the way he present his facts but I don't find any fabrication of facts in any of his lectures.. he simply preached..

    I respect ZN very much as an Islamic scholar as much as I respect you all as my neighbours in this sweet land.. I do respect all preachers of other religions too... I hope we do extensive research on whatever stuff he voiced out that we are disagreeable..

    Love you all..

    Posted 5 years ago by Mohamad Arif · Reply

  • Zakir can be used as a bait to attract the ISIS types in Malaysia. Contain the psychopathic problem istead of allowing it to diffuse randomly as much.

    Posted 5 years ago by Bala Pillai · Reply

  • Zakir is a fanatic bastard! A fugitive criminal against peace and righteousness.

    Posted 5 years ago by Jay Seeva · Reply

  • Petition him to be extradited

    Posted 5 years ago by Stephen Tang · Reply

    • No need to waste time to petition. Just do it. Same case with Jamal, no need petition too.

      Posted 5 years ago by Jesse Lingard · Reply

  • Sometime when come to think of it, is our country really lack of good islamic preacher until we have to retain this kind of extremist in our country? Also, i realy have doubt how he can be given PR. According to the criteria set and rule of law? Please ensure it is scrutinised...

    Posted 5 years ago by Wire bug · Reply

  • Tun send him back to India to face a trial. Give him achance to clear his name in court as was claimed by Najib who is facing charges involving 1MDB. Why you want to do otherwise.

    Posted 5 years ago by Muniandy karishnan · Reply

  • PH government disappoint The Harry_Pontek in this matter. Why is this Naik guy so important that the previous and current government are so willing to offer protection? If he preaches peace and tolerance, OK. But everything that comes out from his mouth are nothing short of condemnation towards other religion. What Malaysia needs now is positive energy to tide through the difficult time. Not negativity from outsiders like him. Disappointing. Utterly disappointed with Tun on this.

    Posted 5 years ago by Harry Pontek · Reply

  • Cowards like Preacher zakir will face the truth never face the truth ...Malaysia has become a safe haven for such extremist as was

    Posted 5 years ago by Victor Rajamony · Reply

  • Sadly Malaysia has become a safe haven for this extremist Preacher zakir ..Tun M is not a honourable statesman as he is afraid to stand for principles. Hopefully he didn't make a decision based on religious lines. Malaysia has become another Saudi , where rogues like Idi Amin,Gen musharaf, Yemeni President ran from their country to find safe haven.

    Posted 5 years ago by Victor Rajamony · Reply

  • Why should he be removed? Where is your freedom of speech. Tell me which of his words shows that he is a terrorist?
    If what he is saying is incorrect, then you are free to correct them. Don't blame him for your inability to justify your belief.

    Posted 5 years ago by Shahrin HARUN · Reply

  • Celaka bersatu hehehe

    Posted 4 years ago by Astann astann · Reply