Pray for national security, not just Zakir Naik - Pahang mufti to PAS

Pahang mufti Abdul Rahman Osman has advised PAS to call on Muslims to pray for national security, not just for preacher Dr Zakir Naik.

Though stressing that the planned prayer for Zakir is a positive move, Rahman sees the country's security and harmony as being in a precarious state.

“We suggest that since they (PAS) want to pray, that it be not just a prayer to save Zakir, but a prayer to save the country,” he told Malaysiakini when contacted.

On Aug 20, PAS central committee chairperson Nik Muhammad Zawawi Salleh called for a prayer to be held throughout the country in support of the controversial preacher, and to seek God's help in defending purportedly malicious efforts to suppress Islam.

Inspector-General of Police Abdul Hamid Bador said on Wednesday that Zakir has been barred from giving talks on all mediums, including social media. 

The preacher is being investigated under Section 504 of the Penal Code for intentional insult with intent to provoke a breach of the peace after 115 reports were lodged against him.

Zakir (photo) has also been called up twice to Bukit Aman to have his statement recorded – the first for five hours last Friday, and the second for 10 hours on Monday.

The Indian-born preacher, a permanent resident in Malaysia, is alleged to have made controversial remarks against Chinese and Indian Malaysians during a talk in Kota Bharu on Aug 3, prompting calls for him to be deported to India.

Commenting on the current situation in the country, Rahman said racial tensions were rising, especially after issues such as the introduction of Jawi lessons in vernacular schools was hotly disputed.

"Right now, we see that there is a possibility of racial strife," he said.

'Caught in the middle'

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia professor Shamsul Amri Baharuddin, meanwhile, sees Zakir as being caught in the middle of political and ideological disputes.

“Zakir Naik is trapped in the political and ideological strife between DAP and PAS," he told Malaysiakini. 

"One (party) appears to be anti-Malay and anti-Muslim, and the other defends the Malay and Muslim positions.

“Whether Zakir is forced to return to India is not 100 percent in the hands of the government. The government needs to find a balance in making decisions."

Shamsul also believes that Zakir's remarks on race relations here were taken out of context and circulated on social media.

“Most do not listen carefully to the exact words spoken by Zakir – the true meaning is lost," he said. - Mkini