Islamic speaker’s talks stir debate in Facebook

Controversial Islamic speaker, Dr Zakir Naik's scheduled talks in Malaysia draws a fiery debate on Facebook on whether the Malaysian authorities should allow him to do so.

PETALING JAYA: The scheduled series of talks by controversial Islamic religious speaker, Dr Zakir Naik in Malaysia, has sparked a debate among Facebook users.

Naik, a hardline Islamist from India, was said to have criticised other religions during his talks and was even banned from entering the United Kingdom and Canada in 2010.

The medical doctor-turned-public speaker is expected to hold talks in Malaysia, from Sept 28 to Oct 7, at several locations such as the Putra World Trade Centre and Universiti Teknologi Mara campus in Shah Alam.

In a Facebook page named Sara Be My II, one commentator named Mangkayarkarasi Sanassy said it was disgrace that the Malaysian authorities had allowed Naik to conduct talks here.

“Disgraceful to see Malaysia is allowing him into the country. In Western countries he would have been kicked out for causing religious hatred. You have to understand this guy is mentally unstable.

“He has been terribly brainwashed by some religious psychopaths to destroy peace and harmony among Hindus. In other words, just ignore him. He maybe a scholar but a stupid and irresponsible one. I was told Islam means peace,” she said.

Fellow Facebook user, Sivakumar Dhar Malingam, urged Malaysian NGOs and the Hindu Sangam to protest against Naik’s visit to Malaysia.

However, not everyone was agreeable to the idea of holding protests against Naik, saying it would be better if people engage the speaker in a debate.

Elangovan Annamalai said, “Anybody can go anywhere to preach about anything… do you think when we hold protests and demonstrations, this visit by this guy can be stopped?”

Commentator Vama Devan even said that Hindus need not fear Naik as the people who practise one of the oldest religions in the planet were not weak.

Commentator Swami Vadivellu said, “Hindus were attacked 17 times in India but we are still living with full faith. So let them talk about Hinduism.We stand proud as Hindus because we don’t hurt other religions,” he said.

The main organiser for the event is the International Islamic School based in Mumbai, India, in collaboration with a local retailer of Islamic literature, Saba Islamic Media.

In the brochure prepared by Saba, Naik is described as a world famous orator on Islam and comparative religion.

FMT failed to reach Saba Islamic Media’s spokesperson Sabariah Abdullah for comments despite several attempts