Malacca exco defends Zakir's prayer event tonight
Malacca exco member Mohd Rafiq Naizamohideen said there was no need to for critics, especially the DAP, to criticise a prayer event tonight which will feature controversial Muslim preacher Dr Zakir Naik.
"I've never heard any Muslim leader questioning religious events of non-Muslims that are held in temples or churches...
Malacca exco member Mohd Rafiq Naizamohideen said there was no need to for critics, especially the DAP, to criticise a prayer event tonight which will feature controversial Muslim preacher Dr Zakir Naik.
"I've never heard any Muslim leader questioning religious events of non-Muslims that are held in temples or churches.
"This scenario is very strange and excessive," he said in a statement last night.
The Malacca Chinese Mosque will be hosting Zakir tonight for a prayer event. Rafiq is the chairperson of the mosque.
Rafiq said Zakir's appearance should not be made a political issue since it was a religious event and organised by the mosque, not the state.
Rafiq's fellow state cabinet member Kerk Chee Yee had criticised the event on grounds it went against the spirit of Chief Minister Adly Zahari’s decision to ban Zakir from speaking in the state.
The police have stated that it does not object to the event since it was for prayers and Zakir was not scheduled to speak.
Previously, the police had stated that it will not allow Zakir to speak in public following his remarks aimed at Chinese and Indian minorities during a speaking engagement in Kelantan in early August.
Following this, several state governments have pledged not to grant Zakir the necessary paperwork to preach. Sarawak has banned Zakir from entering the state for several years.
Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad too ticked off Zakir for venturing into "racial politics".
Eventually, Zakir apologised for his remarks while insisting that his statements were taken out of context and that he was not racist.
Zakir fled his home country where he is wanted money laundering charges and was granted permanent residency by the previous BN administration.
However, India has failed on three attempts to secure a red notice from Interpol against Zakir.
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