Mujahid meets Zakir Naik, says his efforts to preach Islam ‘an inspiration’

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Mujahid Yusof Rawa (left) says Dr Zakir Naik (centre) inspires others to keep on preaching.

PETALING JAYA: Controversial Indian Muslim preacher Dr Zakir Naik had a meeting with Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Mujahid Yusof Rawa today.

On his Facebook page, Mujahid said Naik’s efforts to preach Islam have taken him to every corner of the world and that this served as an “inspiration” to others to keep on preaching.

“May God strengthen his efforts in preaching and guiding men to know Islam,” he said.

Mujahid’s press secretary Siti Zulaikha Zulkifli told FMT that during the one-hour meeting at the minister’s office at the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Department (Jawi) in Kuala Lumpur, the two discussed three issues raised by the Parit Buntar MP.

They were the Quranic concept of “rahmatan lil alamin” or mercy for the world, “maqasid shariah” or higher objectives of Islamic laws and the Malaysian model, as well as the issue of fake news.

Naik is the target of an investigation in India and Bangladesh over charges of hate speech and money laundering. His Mumbai-based outfit Islamic Research Foundation was shut down by Indian authorities, who are seeking his extradition.

He has denied the accusations against him, and appointed Malaysian lawyers to challenge any attempt to deport him.

Last year, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said Naik would not be extradited “as long as he is not creating any problems”.

This followed a meeting between Naik and Mahathir, less than two months after Barisan Nasional’s defeat in the May 9 general election. - FMT