Zakir Naik not welcome to preach in Sarawak

When controversial preacher Zakir Naik (above) attempted to conduct his activities in Penang last month, he was told he had to apply for permission to do so as he was considered an outside preacher.

Penang Deputy Chief Minister I Ahmad Zakiyuddin Abdul Rahman also cautioned that “all preachers must remember not to create conflict between religions and also in the Muslim community.

"Although we may be of the same religion, not everyone has the same views, so preachers must be cautious not to create misunderstanding," he added.

That was sound advice, Zakiyuddin. Well done.

According to Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Mujahid Yusof Rawa, all states have the right to accept or reject applications to allow Zakir Naik to preach or conduct religious activities.

So that is made clear to all state governments. Without permission from the states, Zakir, don’t try to push your luck too far.

My next question. I have seen videos of Zakir giving public lectures in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor. Does it mean the Selangor state government has given him the green light to conduct his activities in Selangor?

Can I assume, therefore, that Zakir is an accredited preacher in Selangor and that his Islamic views and preaching are acceptable to Muslims in Selangor, but not in other states where he has not been given permission to preach?

Of course, as a permanent resident, Zakir can travel freely throughout the country. I don’t think I’m way off to say he must be revered in PAS-ruled Kelantan and Terengganu. Why, even minister Mujahid has described Zakir as an “inspiration”.

Last Friday, a Kuching friend asked me whether it was true that Zakir would be coming to Sarawak to propagate Islam. I replied, “I don’t know. I haven’t heard anything about it.”

Of course, last Friday was a day of terror and the Christchurch massacre has caused many to make disturbing assumptions and ask worrisome questions. 

I would be the least surprised if Zakir is keen to come to my homeland to propagate Islam to fellow Sarawakians. Oh yes, Sarawakians are gullible folk and would most likely be impressed with a so-called intellectual speaker like Zakir. Poison could smell like perfume to them.

To preachers and evangelists, Sarawak is fertile ground. The role of a preacher of any religion is to bring the word of his God to lost souls. The main duty is evangelising – to teach those with little or no faith to become God-fearing and to steer them away from the path of evil and destruction.

If Zakir is genuinely on that godly track, all should be well, but apparently, he is way off-tangent as many of his fellow Muslims have testified.

Many have asked whether Zakir is a preacher or a terrorist. He has been called many names – a fake preacher, an extremist Islamic cleric, a figure of odium, a money launderer, a hate-monger, snake oil salesman, etc. Do we need to be warned that “it is better to be with the devil you know than the one you don’t”?

Zakir has gone on record as preaching to our government that it was wrong to build churches and temples in an Islamic nation like Malaysia. He also waded into politics by telling Muslims to vote only for Muslim candidates, even if the candidates were corrupt, if the other choice is to vote for an honest non-Muslim.

Wow! What venomous filth.

If Zakir were successful in spreading his poison to Sarawak, this is what would likely be happening in my homeland.

Churches and mosques built next to each other, like the one in Lutong, Miri, will be threatened.

Muslims married to Christians will not be allowed to celebrate Christmas or Easter with the families of their spouses. Similarly, they will not be permitted to celebrate Hari Raya together. Visiting open houses will also be banned.

Muslims and non-Muslims will no longer be allowed to operate stalls in the same eatery. Separate utensils will be provided and used for fear of contamination from infidels.

The crucifixes of all cathedrals and churches must be taken down. The cross will disappear from public sight.

Is that all about me worrying unnecessarily about what has yet to happen or is unlikely to ever take place? No, I simply believe prevention is better than cure, especially when dealing with extremists and their evil motivations.

Don’t blame us, Sarawakians, for having doubts about the “Malaysia Baru” or “Better Malaysia”, which we all fought for in GE14. Many of us have stopped believing.

We must ask whether Harapan's political and religious elite are embracing Zakir for political purposes.

Why is Harapan still harbouring Zakir, an outsider and a fugitive who has employed hate speech and used race and religion to divide us, Malaysians?

Why did Mujahid have to place Zakir on a pedestal? Who is Zakir to be invited by the minister to his office to explain to him Malaysia’s reality and problems? Has Mujahid ever invited the mufti of Sarawak to his office for the same purpose?

For a person wanted by his native India and barred also by Bangladesh, a nation of 90 percent Muslims, is Putrajaya still so naïve and unaware that by his very presence, Zakir continues to pose a threat to public order and national security?

Sarawak does not want anything to do with Zakir, even if Putrajaya continues to pander to him for whatever reason.

Just don’t try to bring your poison to Sarawak, Zakir. You and your ilk are not welcome in our paradise. Our Muslim brethren in Sarawak practise the Islam of peace, love and compassion, not your version of spite, hate and destruction.

I urge my chief minister, Abang Johari Openg, to place Zakir Naik on the persona non grata list immediately. Keep this man and his deadly poison out of Sarawak.

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FRANCIS PAUL SIAH heads the Movement for Change, Sarawak (MoCS) and can be reached at sirsiah@gmail.com - Mkini