DR Zakir Naik is an Islamic intellectual who can unite the ummah and must be defended from attacks by numerous quarters, said Umno and PAS lawmakers.
The Mumbai-born preacher’s teaching must be seen positively and those who object him must do so in a professional and factual manner instead of using lame excuses to force the government to deport him, they said.
Zakir’s talks are based on Islamic teachings, Nik Muhammad Zawawi Salleh (PAS-Pasir Puteh) told The Malaysian Insight.
“Zakir’s talks are based in Islamic preaching to save mankind and create a harmonious community.
“The non-Muslims should not see this as something negative or as a threat.”
He added that Zakir’s detractors should rebut him factually.
“And if they can’t do that, they should not be using excuses to get him out of the country.”
Several non-Muslim ministers have recently urged the cabinet to revoke Zakir’s permanent residency and send him back to India where he is wanted for terrorism charges following his divisive speeches in Malaysia.
In Zakir’s last public appearance in Kelantan, he allegedly made anti-Indian and anti-Chinese remarks.
He is being investigated by the police for hate speech and will face further questioning today.
At the same time, Perlis, Kedah and Penang have banned Zakir from conducting programmes in their states.
Defending Zakir, Nik Zawawi said the preacher is not forcing Islam on others, instead only explaining the beauty of the faith.
“He was only putting forward his views. Although Islam is a righteous faith, there is nothing we can do if others do not want to be a follower.
“At the same time, we will have to adhere to our federal constitution which states Islam is the official religion of this country, while other religions can be practised here but they can’t spread their religion.”
Perlis Umno chief Shahidan Kassim said Zakir is not a threat to anyone, except to those who are anti-Islam.
“Zakir is an Islamic intellectual. When someone wants our protection, is it fair for us to hand him over to a country where he might be unfairly treated and face injustice?
“When the prophet migrated to Medina, he was welcomed there and the people of Medina didn’t force him back to Mecca to be tortured,” he said.
The former minister also said the Pakatan Harapan ministers should pay more attention addressing economic issues instead of playing up polemic issues involving Zakir.
Political analyst Kamarul Zaman Yusoff from Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) said both Umno and PAS are using Zakir to unite the Malays.
The Malays also see Zakir as a uniting factor in their fight against non-Muslims whom they feel are taking over their rights and privileges, he said.
“Zakir’s theme is very consistent, that is to unite Muslims and he is someone who can play that role to unite the Malays.
“And this is consistent with the political stand taken by Malay-based parties. The one party which seems to disagree with this is Amanah. The other Malay parties are all agreeable to Zakir’s theme and disagree that his PR should be revoked.”
He also said Zakir’s preaching so far hadn’t run afoul of the laws.
“But what is happening today is that his critics are using political power to force Zakir out of the country. If he had committed something wrong here, they should just charge him in court.”
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia’s political analyst Shamsul Amri Baharuddin said Umno and PAS are taking advantage of the Zakir issue to strengthen their position among the Malays.
“Zakir had a political role in the Umno-PAS’ sandiwara (show) fighting DAP. Whatever DAP objects against will be supported by Umno and PAS.”
There wouldn’t be any protest against Zakir if he concentrated solely on his Islamic works and stop engaging with his critics as he is then seen as a disruptive agent to the harmony of the country, he said.
“Zakir is an opportunist. It looks like he favours Umno and PAS. If only he concentrates on spreading the message of Islam, and stop touching on issues of the Indians and Chinese, there won’t be any problem.
“Umno and PAS are making use of Zakir and he is using them. This is billiard politics, you use a ball to hit two others.”
– https://www.themalaysianinsight.com
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