Kelantan PAS Youth invites Kit Siang to Zakir Naik event

Kelantan PAS Youth has invited DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang to attend a ceramah by preacher Zakir Naik this Friday, which will take place at the Sultan Muhammad IV Stadium in Kota Bharu.

Kelantan Umno Youth chief Mohd Ariff Abdullah, who today delivered a copy of the invitation to what appeared to be the state DAP headquarters, said the official invitation has already been dispatched to Lim.

"The reason we also sent a copy is to ensure the DAP leader – who is seen to be anti-Zakir with all kinds of negative perceptions – receives the invitation, so that they (Lim and supporters) will not use the excuse of saying that they didn't get it.

"We want DAP to come and bring as many supporters as they can, so that they can put forward their arguments to prove their claims against the international preacher," he said at a press conference outside a building bearing the DAP logo. 

However, the building looks to no longer be occupied by DAP. 

This prompted Ariff to call a DAP leader to inform him about the invitation he was leaving behind.

Zakir's preaching has courted controversy due to his method of comparing Islam to other religions, which has caused some non-Muslim to take offence.

Last Thursday, Lim concurred with columnist Anas Zubedy, who suggested that the preacher should leave Malaysia on his own accord.

However, this sparked unhappiness amongst PAS leaders, who have staunchly backed Zakir.

Zakir, a permanent resident, is in self-imposed exile in the country, as he is wanted in India on money-laundering charges.

Putrajaya has refused to deport the preacher, expressing concern about whether he will receive a fair trial.

Ariff said that if Lim fails to attend the ceramah, then he should stop issuing statements against Zakir.

"DAP coming would show that they are not anti-Islam and are truly democratic as they claim.

"If they are not prejudiced and are open, they would attend and face Zakir openly," he said.

Malaysiakini has contacted Lim on whether he will accept the invitation, and is awaiting a response. - Mkini