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Why all the huff over Zakir Naik?
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Surely Malaysia and its people are built on a much stronger footing than to be threatened by one man who claims to be an inter-faith scholar but has a skewed view of everything around him. We have made Zakir Naik woefully big by giving him too much space in our media and lives.

Let him go, let him loose, let him do what he wants and in the meantime let us, Malaysians, first get our acts together. Let us stay strong adopting ‘one for all, all for one’ maxim which has seen us through trying times in the past.

Having said that, the government’s numbness towards the people’s concerns, worry and anxiety is rather unbefitting. The government should call for serious discussion amongst scholars to view the plausibility of allowing Zakir Naik continued stay in Malaysia. What have we to gain and lose? We owe it to ourselves to investigate his tendencies.

And is it not quite apparent that Zakir Naik is seemingly a parasite and is drawing his benefits from a select number of groups in Malaysia? These groups with a very myopic agenda and constricted views fall perfectly well into Zakir Naik’s scheme and he has been accorded too much prominence in return for his brand of Islamisation.

It is surprising that the Malaysian government which readily offered Zakir Naik premanent resident (PR) status has not seen the alleged parasite mind-set that he displays, quite blatantly.

Zakir Naik started years ago as a renowned orator on Islam and comparative religion and I have heard his sermons which were mostly acceptable with a fair amount of moderate views about other religions. Somewhere along the way, he succumbed to the fanatical tendencies, making him an object of scrutiny in his home country.

He is often seen and heard quoting from Hindu scriptures and the Bible with very accurate references which makes him a true man of knowledge and it is a pity that he happens to be on the wrong side with religions other than his own, truly regrettable. What is absent, it might seem, is any sustained exploration of parallels amongst religions of the world that could be the basis for us to be united under the banner of humanity.

Coming to think of it, Zakir Naik is probably feeling at home in Malaysia as on its own the country is beginning to see the wear and tear of having to cope with fractions causing dissensions and discord.

While the government propagates moderation, orators from around the country have been freely promulgating their own brands and versions of religion. He is known to have declined, overtly and otherwise, invitations to debate on his pet subject of comparative religion and I wonder why.

Zakir Naik is on a mission, first to escape from the clutches of law from his home country and secondly to enrich himself in terms popularity and prominence and with the whole nation and all Media talking about him, he is elevated to a Superstar status and is probably gloating on his triumph.


BHAVANI KRISHNA IYER has a queer vocation which is watching people. It provides her the interlude she sorely needs and keeps her supply of ideas fresh, for rambling.

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