Controversial preacher Zakir Naik has challenged his critics to file a case in the court of law against the Quran over the notion that God cannot have a son.
Recalling his last visit to the country in 2012, Zakir said some had filed complaints against him for insulting their religion on the notion that God cannot have a son.
But Zakir pointed out that this was not his saying, rather, it is a saying by Allah in the Quran.
“If you want to file a case against me in Malaysia, you have to file a case against the Quran,” he said, to applause from the audience.
The televangelist was speaking at his lecture titled ‘Is the Quran God’s word?’ at the Bukit Jalil Hockey Stadium last night which saw some 30,000 people attending the event.
“Allah said he’s the one and only, he begets not nor was he begotten,” said Zakir citing surah al-Ikhlaas.
Lamenting how he was told by some, including Muslims, not to repeat this again, Zakir however stressed that this was about his religion.
“Can you believe, in a Muslim country? If it happens in India, no problem. In a Muslim country someone is saying don't say God is one,” he said.
“I'm not here to insult any religion […] (but) how can I stop saying this – He is one?”
He then reminded how preaching is compulsory on every Muslim and that if one does not do it, he or she will not enter heaven.
'File police report'
Meanwhile, citing Jewish, Christian, Sikh and Persian scriptures, Zakir claimed that all religions say that God is one.
“That God has no image, no statue, no picture, no painting. I have not come here to create a fitnah (slander) or create differences.
“I tell people, simple, let us agree that there is only one book which is the word of God. I have a simple solution, let us agree on what is common in the scriptures.
“Let’s agree to what's common, I'm not trying to create divisions, I'm trying to get the Hindus and Christians and the Muslims together,” said Zakir.
Citing Hindu scriptures, the preacher said it is stated there that God has no parents, no pratima (image) and no statue.
“Who said that? Not Zakir. What (do) you want to do? File a police report against me?” he queried.
“I’m a da’I (preacher), I have to talk about Allah, am I insulting someone? If you have proof that I'm insulting, I'm ready for the punishment,” he said.
The preacher had courted controversy after inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar instructed that his event in Kuala Lumpur and Malacca be cancelled. Hindu groups had also lodged police reports, claiming that Zakir had insulted other religions in his lectures.
Khalid later lifted the ban on the Kuala Lumpur event while Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi then allowed for the event in Malacca to proceed with the condition that the title of the lecture be changed.
After events in Terengganu and Kuala Lumpur, his Malaysia tour will see Zakir speaking at the event in Malacca today. -Mkini
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.