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

KUALA LUMPUR — 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.

Dr Naik is known for hate speeches that apparently inspired one of the attackers in the 2016 Dhaka terror attack and has been singled out by Singapore as a preacher whose divisive preaching is not accepted in the Republic.

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. THE MALAYSIAN INSIGHT