Thanking ‘fearless’ Dr M, Naik attacks critics for ‘lies’ about him

The preacher says the accusations against him are part of a broader move to demonise Islam and Muslims.

Dr Zakir Naik during his meeting with Dr Mahathir Mohamad last weekend.

PETALING JAYA: Indian Muslim preacher Dr Zakir Naik today poured praises on the administration of Dr Mahathir Mohamad, thanking it for its decision to allow him to remain in Malaysia despite efforts by Indian authorities to extradite him over terrorism-linked allegations.

“I pray that Allah continues to bless the nation of Malaysia and its fearless leader Tun Dr Mahathir, and that He makes it, through its leaders and citizens alike, a superpower, a role model nation, and a paragon of virtue for the rest of the world,” said Naik in a statement released through a third party and made available to FMT.

He said the decision “reaffirms my faith in Malaysia’s justice and communal harmony”.

“… (It) is a testimony to the success of the multiracial diversity of this country. I am humbled to be a part of this diversity, and I also acknowledge the sensitivities it entails.”

This comes after his weekend meeting with the prime minister, following Mahathir’s announcement that there was no plan to send Naik to his home country as long as he abided by Malaysia’s laws.

Naik today again attacked critics who accused him of hate speech, saying media reports and online postings attributing “appalling statements” were lies and part of a “broader objective of demonising Islam and Muslims”.

“Unable to find any evidence against me, they resorted to doctored video clips, out-of-context quotations and a host of dishonest schemes to accuse me of terrorism, hate speech and even money laundering,” he said.

“Time and time again, I have reiterated that a Muslim cannot be a good Muslim unless he is a good human being.

“So, an unbiased observer would realise that never in my 25 years of lecturing on Islam and peace have I ever promoted terror, in the name of Islam or otherwise.

“In fact, not a single lecture out of the thousands that I have delivered ever received objections from non-Muslims in India until September 2012, when a group of religious fanatics sought to tarnish my image,” he said.

Naik, who is wanted in India over alleged incitement of terror, has resisted attempts by authorities there to question him, saying his life would be in danger if he went back.

The televangelist, who is close to leaders of the former Barisan Nasional government and several local religious leaders, holds Malaysian permanent resident status and has been living in an apartment in Putrajaya.

Non-Muslim groups have accused him of provoking religious tension through his speeches touching on comparative religion. Earlier this year, a court threw out a suit against the Malaysian government by several civil society groups who accused it of protecting a fugitive.

Naik in his statement assured that he would not disrupt racial harmony as claimed by his critics.

“I would never wish to disrupt or jeopardise this balance in any way, or to break the rule of law of this country, because it is my primary concern to foster the social harmony currently enjoyed by its citizens,” he said. -FMT