Zakir Naik and wife to tour Perlis backed by state government

PETALING JAYA: Controversial Indian preacher Dr Zakir Naik is embarking on a five-day speaking tour with his wife, backed by an organisation linked to the Perlis Islamic department and more than a dozen other state agencies and Muslim groups.

It will be Naik’s first public appearance after maintaining a low profile since the May elections, which saw the downfall of the Barisan Nasional government with whose leaders Naik had enjoyed close ties, and was granted permanent resident’s status.

Naik and his wife Farhat, who have been living in Malaysia amid an investigation by authorities in India over accusations of money laundering and promoting terrorism, will be speaking at mosques, Islamic centres and universities in the state.

The tour is organised by One Centre Malaysia, a Perlis-based organisation headed by Muslim activist Zamri Vinoth, who is a staunch supporter of state mufti Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin.

Among other bodies involved are the Perlis Islamic Religious and Malay Customs Council, as well as the Malaysian Islamic Youth Movement (Abim).

Asri has been among Naik’s biggest defenders amid accusations that the preacher, who is accused of promoting Salafism – a controversial strand of Islam that is promoted in Saudi Arabia – is a threat to Malaysia’s racial harmony.

Naik has riled up moderate Muslims as well as non-Muslim groups in Malaysia over his speeches on comparative religion. Early this year, a suit by Hindu rights body Hindraf against the previous government for protecting Naik was thrown out by the High Court.

Naik’s lecture tour, which lasts from Dec 1 to 5, will be on the themes of Muslim unity, humanity and science. His wife, on the other hand, will be speaking to ladies-only audiences on topics such as Islamic propagation, motherhood and the ideal Muslim woman. - FMT