The government has decided to allow Dr Zakir Abdul Karim Naik to proceed with his lecture in Malacca, provided he changes the title of his talk.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the decision was made after discussing the matter with Malacca Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Idris Haron as well as compromise from the event organiser.
Said Ahmad Zahid, who is also Home Minister, the topic chosen should be appropriate and not court controversy from any party.
Initially, Dr Zakir’s was to talk on “Similarities between Hinduism and Islam” at the Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UteM) this weekend, but that sparked an outrage within both communities, claiming that the Indian-born Muslim preacher was insulting them.
READ: Penang's P. Ramasamy regrets calling Dr Zakir Naik "syaitan"
“We have so many other topics that can be of interest, why choose that one?
“Islam is universal and is of the highest dignity, why must it be degraded or equated with other beliefs and religions?” he questioned after attending an Islamic Consultative Council (MPI) event at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre here today.
READ: 8 facts you need to know about controversial preacher Dr Zakir Naik
On Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar’s statement on Twitter yesterday, who had said that the police would not allow Dr Zakir’s talk in Malacca to proceed, Ahmad Zahid explained that the initial action by the IGP was to avoid disharmony among people after receiving complaints from both Hindu and Muslim leaders.
READ: Zakir Naik forum can still go on, with a different title - IGP
Dr Zakir is no stranger to Malaysia. In 2013, he was awarded the international level of the Tokoh Maal Hijrah Award by the Malaysian government, recognising him as a respected Islamic preacher.
The 51-year-old is the founder of the Islamic Research Foundation and a graduate in medicine and surgery from University of Bombay, Mumbai.
Last Sunday, Dr Zakir spoke to a crowd of more than 30,000 people at the Gong Badak Indoor Stadium in Kuala Terengganu on "The Importance of Unity Among the Muslim Ummah".
The controversial scholar’s Malaysian tour is from April 9 until April 20.
READ: Zakir Naik's lecture enables Muslim and non-Muslim students to learn more about Islam
Israr Khalid
Tue Apr 12 2016
Dr Zakir delivering his talk at the Gong Badak Indoor Stadium last Sunday. - BERNAMApic
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