Nur Jazlan backs IGP on Zakir lecture ban

Deputy Home Minister Nur Jazlan Mohamed has backed inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar on the ban on Muslim scholar Zakir Naik's lecture titled 'Similarities between Islam and Hinduism'.

Speaking to reporters in Putrajaya today, Nur Jazlan said the police chief has a task to ensure racial and religious harmony in the country.

“His job (Khalid's) is to make sure that… Zakir's somewhat intolerance stance against other religions other than Islam do not (take root).

"It could be a potential religious issue in a state with different religions and races," the Pulai MP said.

'The man changed after award'

Nur Jazlan was asked about the ban despite the scholar from India being awarded the Tokoh Maal Hijrah award by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong in 2013.

Commenting on the award, the deputy minister said: "The government views a recipient's qualifications in general. It is what he had done before getting the award.

"Sometimes people change (after) getting the award. We don't know. Man changes."

The talk was slated to be held in Malacca on April 17 but it garnered strong opposition from MIC and other non-governmental organisations.

Meanwhile, Khalid (photo) told Malaysiakini that the scholar's lecture in Kuala Lumpur, on April 16 titled 'Is Quran the word of God', would be allowed to proceed on the condition that the organisers ensure that other faiths are not belittled.

Ban ignited heated debate

Zakir’s lecture series is organised by Hidayah Centre and 10 other NGOs.

Khalid's move to ban the Malacca event ignited a heated debate and drew mixed responses, with those opposed to the scholar expressing gratitude while numerous Muslim groups expressed disappointment.

MIC as well as several NGOs had protested Zakir's lecture series in Malaysia, claiming that the Indian national had a tendency to insult other religions.

However, Umno Youth was among those that disagreed with the ban.

The issue also saw a split among Pakatan Harapan parties, with DAP leader P Ramasamy accusing Zakir of sowing hatred towards non-Muslims while Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) decried the move to clamp down on intellectual discourse. -Mkini