Zakir Naik ceramah bid rejected by Penang city council
The Penang Island City Council (MBPP) has rejected an application by the Islamic Propagation Society International (IPSI) to use the City Stadium for a programme featuring controversial preacher Zakir Naik.
MBPP community service director Rashidah Jalaludin, in a letter dated Feb 13, said that IPSI's request "could not be considered...
The Penang Island City Council (MBPP) has rejected an application by the Islamic Propagation Society International (IPSI) to use the City Stadium for a programme featuring controversial preacher Zakir Naik.
MBPP community service director Rashidah Jalaludin, in a letter dated Feb 13, said that IPSI's request "could not be considered."
At the time of writing, Rashidah was unavailable for comment. The ceramah had been planned to be held on June 14, from 8pm to 11pm.
A source from the Penang State Islamic Religious Council (MAINPP) said the venue may already have been booked on the proposed date.
"The city stadium was recently upgraded and is heavily used for sports. Perhaps, the venue is not suitable on the ceramah date," the source, who requested anonymity, told Malaysiakini.
Asked if Zakir was banned from public preaching in Penang, the MAINPP source said he was not aware of such a directive.
When contacted, IPSI president Kamaruddin Abdullah declined to comment on the matter.
Meanwhile, the Penang ex-Local Councilors Association said the decision by MBPP to reject Zakir's ceramah at the city stadium is justified.
The association's president, Teoh Seang Hooi said under the Local Government Act 1976, MBPP has the legal jurisdiction to reject such activities which are deemed "improper or a threat to public safety. "
"We hope this issue will not be exploited by politicians or religious leaders, but in view of the controversial and offensive religious speeches uttered by Zakir, we ex-councillors feel that it is only prudent and appropriate for MBPP to reject the application, " said Teoh, who was Seberang Perai municipal councillor from 2008 to 2013.
On Jan 11, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Mujahid Yusof Rawa said the new Malaysian government will not impose any ban on lectures by Zakir or any other preacher as long as they adhere to the set guidelines.
The Indian-born preacher, who resides in Putrajaya and is a permanent resident, is being sought by authorities in his home country in relation to money laundering and hate speech charges.
In July last year, Zakir thanked the Malaysian government for not deporting him to India, and promised not to be disruptive or break laws while residing here.
Depot him back to his homeland
Terrorist should not be allowed at give ceramahs in Malaysia. In fact he should be deported to his country, India to face criminal charges.
If one wishes to talk on ones own religion one SHD confine oneself to all d virtues of his religion. A cultured one wont touch d so assumed negative things from other religions. An ethical man wldnt do this needless, obnoxious comparisons. Zakir, praise your religion sky high, it's so fine with non muslims. But why SO unnecessarily, provokingly poke your clean nose into 'grimes' of other religions. WHY, zakir?! You have been in India. Do d high, learned, cultured Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Zain priests ever talk on so assumed 'negativities' in Islam or in any other religions? For example, if a high, learned Hindu priest ever to broach abt other religions he only touches on d GOOD aspects in other religions! That's good Comparative Religious talk. He isnt least afraid d Hindus wld embrace other religions. Nor he tries to goad vulnerable people of other religions into Hinduism. He strongly tells one cld go to heaven (i strongly doubt there ever is one!) by just doing good deedsn loving ALL. Zakir, Malaysia unlike India or d west is not a conducive ground for Comparative Religions talk cos d playing field here has been made so uneven. Pls talk n praise Islam. By touching d 'negative' aspects of other religions u r aggravating d delicate multi religious fabric here? That's not ethical way for a cultured Muslim to boost d imam of muslims; n try convert d vulnerable nons. This unnecessary attempts to convert is another major cause of religious frictions all over. Millions hv unnecessarily been killed bcos of fanatical preachings n activities of conversion. One shd mind d business of ones own religion. Then world wld be more peaceful. No, zakir? The sooner u r out of Malaysia all d better. Try migrate to middle east.
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