Pakistan's decision to invite controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik as a state guest to irritate India has backfired. Pakistan is facing embarrassment due to Zakir Naik's strange statements. Her statements on issues like women's rights, child sexual abuse and her escape from a group of orphan girls are being ridiculed by Pakistanis themselves. Many people are also asking whether Zakir Naik is a religious preacher or a 'stand-up comedian'. It is noteworthy that Zakir Naik is currently in Pakistan for a month and is also doing public programs at many places including Islamabad, Karachi and Lahore.
The Mumbai-born Islamic preacher is wanted in India on charges of using hate speech to incite radicalism and money laundering. His channel PeaceTV has been banned in India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka due to its controversial content. Zakir Naik cannot even get entry into Britain and Canada. He has currently camped in Malaysia where he has got permanent residency. After his absurd statements, people are trolling him fiercely on social media. One user wrote, “Actually Pakistanis called him so that they can know why India and other countries have banned him.” Another user said, “Who has called him? Please don’t invite such illiterate people next time.”
absurd statements
Addressing supporters in Karachi, Zakir Naik had criticized Pakistan International Airlines for not waiving the charges for excess baggage during travel from Malaysia to Pakistan and instead giving him a 50 per cent discount. People had a lot of fun with this statement. Not only this, Zakir Naik also started remembering India. She said during her speech, “I am deeply saddened that PIA could not allow me to carry 300 kg of extra luggage as a state guest. I don't want your discount. I feel sad to speak the truth but this is the situation in Pakistan. When a Hindu in India sees me, he says Dr. Naik will always speak the truth. As of today, India is not wrong, Modi is wrong. I get respect in India…people like me in Pakistan too.”
'Apologise to God'
In another viral video, Zakir Naik was also seen shouting at a Pashtun girl who asked him to tell her about the rising incidents of “pedophilia” in Pakistan. During the programme, the girl had asked Zakir Naik about the root causes of increasing cases of drug addiction and child sexual abuse. Refuting his claims, she insisted that there is no mention of pedophilia in the Quran or any Islamic scripture and accused him of defaming Islam. Zakir Naik said, “A Muslim can never sexually abuse children and should think 10 times before making such allegations.” When the girl tried to explain her point further, Zakir Naik reacted sharply and said, “This is a wrong question and you should apologize to God.”
Is Pakistan the best way to heaven?
Zakir Naik, in another speech, said that people living in Pakistan have more chances of reaching 'Jannat' (heaven) than those in America. This statement has gone viral on the internet and there is huge opposition to it. While sharing the video on social media platform This is true. There are more suicide bombers and terrorists in Pakistan than in any other country in the world.”
commotion in the orphanage
Pakistan-based reporter and researcher Usman Chaudhary posted a video in which Zakir Naik is being welcomed on stage by girls from an orphanage. However, Naik was seen leaving the stage in a hurry. The girls present there kept looking at him in surprise. Imtiaz Mahmood, a well-known British social media user, said in a post that Zakir Naik was upset that the orphanage administrators had presented the girls as daughters and that is why he ran away from the platform. Zakir Naik reportedly described them as 'non-mahram' and said, “You cannot touch them or call them your daughters.” Mahmood said that Naik's argument is that these young girls are of marriageable age and hence they cannot be presented as his daughters.
India's response
India had criticized Pakistan's honoring of Zakir Naik but also said it was not surprising. “We have seen reports that he (Zakir Naik) has been honored in Pakistan,” External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at the weekly media briefing. He has been warmly welcomed there. It is not surprising to us that an Indian fugitive has been welcomed in Pakistan. This is disappointing and condemnable.”
