Don't let Zakir Naik talk on stage alone, says academic

Controversial preacher Zakir Naik must not be allowed to talk alone on a stage without the participation of another speaker, says a prominent academician Mohamad Tajudin Mohamad Rasdi.

The professor of architecture at UCSI university said Zakir's speech must be countered by other critical thinking speeches so that the audience is offered both sides of the argument.

Mohamad Tajudin said this is crucial if Zakir were to be allowed to talk at universities.

"The thing that worries me is when he starts talking at universities. Of course, you cannot stop him to do that in the name of freedom.

"So let him speak but have a discussant. Don't let him speak alone," he said.

Mohamad Tajudin was addressing the audience as a panellist in the "New Malaysia, old politics" forum at Wisma Methodist in Kuala Lumpur.

"Universities cannot let Zakir Naik say things about other religions without (being balanced) by other critical thinking," he added.

Zakir who hails from India was accused by authorities in his homeland of spreading hate speech and inciting terrorism.

The 53-year old preacher, who currently holds Permanent Resident status in Malaysia, is alleged to have spread radical Islamic teachings via his TV channel 'Peace TV', which is banned in India, but has an estimated 200 million viewers worldwide.

Despite India having made an official request to have him extradited, the Pakatan Harapan government refused to do so unless he breaks any local laws.

One of his disciples Muhammad Zamri Vinoth Kalimuthu, 35, was recently investigated for allegedly insulting Hinduism in his speech. - Mkini