He was at Putrajaya Mosque to perform Friday prayers, as has been his routine every week.
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PUTRAJAYA: Controversial Indian Muslim preacher Dr Zakir Naik was seen at the Putrajaya Mosque today, amid intense speculation of imminent deportation from Malaysia at the request of Indian authorities.
As has been his routine since taking up residency in the administrative capital, Naik performed Friday prayers at the mosque, accompanied by four bodyguards.
Naik, wanted in India over allegations of money laundering and terrorism, refused to answer questions from FMT about New Delhi’s request to the Malaysian government to extradite him.
“Assalamualaikum,” was Naik’s curt reply, using the Muslim salutation.
The Putrajaya mosque is frequented by top government leaders, including Dr Mahathir Mohamad and other ministers.
Last month, Naik managed to greet Mahathir at the same mosque, shortly after the prime minister performed Friday prayers there.
Earlier today, Mahathir said the government would not deport Zakir as long as he did not create any problems.
“We will not deport him as he has been granted permanent residency status,”he said after chairing a meeting of the Pakatan Harapan Presidential Council at the Perdana Leadership Foundation.
Yesterday, the Indian foreign ministry reportedly confirmed making an official request to Malaysia to extradite Zakir.
News channel Republic TV quoted foreign ministry spokesman Raveesh Kumar as saying that New Delhi had made the request based on an extradition agreement between both countries
“At this juncture, our request is under the active consideration of the Malaysian side. Our High Commissioner in Kuala Lumpur is in contact with the Malaysian authorities,” the news channel quoted Kumar as saying.
Indian media reported this week that Naik would be deported, but this was denied by Inspector-General of police Mohamed Fuzi Harun. Naik’s lawyers also insisted that his client could not be deported until extradition papers were served. -FMT
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