Controversial Islamic preacher Dr Zakir Naik expressed his gratitude to the Malaysian government and Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad for allowing him to remain here despite calls being made by many for him to be extradited to India.
Addressing the issue of accusations that were made against him, Dr Zakir in a statement stressed that an unbiased observer would realise that in his 25 years of lecturing on Islam and peace, he has never promoted terror or incited riots in the name of religion.
This, was to counter what he said were attacks being made against him by ‘some sections of the media’ for his ‘supposed incitement to terror and supporting Islamic terror activities.
“Unable to find any evidence against me, they resorted to doctored video clips, out-of-context quotations and a host of dishonest schemes to accuse me of terrorism, hate speech and even money laundering,” Dr Zakir said. He also said that this was a ploy to vilify him and that such claims cannot be verified.
“Because the simple truth is that any statement ascribed to me that is against humanity is a fabricated statement. Time and time again, I have reiterated that a Muslim cannot be a good Muslim unless he is a good human being,” Dr Zakir added.
He then thanked the Malaysian government for examining the issue from an ‘unbiased perspective’. He wrote, “I thank Malaysian govt for examining the issue from an unbiased perspective, & PM for his decision to allow me to stay here, as long as I continue to abide by the law & support peace & harmony of Malaysia.”
This decision reaffirms my faith in Malaysia’s justice & communal harmony & is a testimony to success of multiracial diversity of this country. Finally, while I hope that justice and peace return to my homeland, India.”
Naik, also expressed his gratitude to Dr Mahathir for the latter’s decision to allow him to stay here, as long as he continued to abide by the law and support the peace and harmony of this country.
According to media reports last week, the Prime Minister said Dr Zakir would not be deported Indian authorities as he had been granted a Malaysian permanent resident status.
Also Read: Malaysian authorities refuse to deport Islamic preacher Dr Zakir Naik
In a report carried by a local Malaysian newspaper, the Prime Minister when responding to questions from the media on whether India’s extradition request for Dr Zakir would be met, reiterated his stance by saying that Malaysia would not give in easily to demands made by others ‘otherwise someone will become a victim’.
“This decision reaffirms my faith in Malaysia’s justice and communal harmony, and is a testimony to the success of the multiracial diversity of this country. I am humbled to be a part of this diversity, and I also acknowledge the sensitivities it entails.
“I would never wish to disrupt or jeopardise this balance in any way, or to break the rule of law of this country, because it is my primary concern to foster the social harmony currently enjoyed by its citizens,” Dr Zakir said, adding that he remained indebted to Malaysia.