Hindu group wants Dr Zakir Naik deported, claims presence causing 'uneasiness'

KUALA LUMPUR, April 12 ― The Malaysian Hindu Sangam (MHS) today urged authorities to deport Dr Zakir Naik, and claimed that the controversial Muslim speaker's presence here has already caused much “uneasiness” among Malaysians.

MHS president Datuk RS Mohan Shan applauded Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar's decision to ban Dr Zakir's talk in Malacca, but stressed that the Muslim preacher should also not be allowed to remain in Malaysia, in the interest of racial harmony here.

“Having a foreigner who does not understand the racial and cultural scope of the country, and who speaks ill of other religions such as Hindu will only provoke the sentiments of the Hindus here, and may unnecessarily create uneasiness among races.

“The uneasiness is already evident through the various social media now,” he said in a statement.

Mohan added that while the Hindu community was not opposed to any attempts to promote spiritual knowledge, individuals who discriminated and undermined other religions should not be given a platform to spread hatred.

“I am sure the IGP would not allow similar forums to be organised by Hindus where we compare and criticize Islam that would cause uneasiness among the Muslims in this country.

“Likewise, we expect similar understanding and respect to be extended to the Hindus,” he said.

IGP Khalid yesterday urged the organisers of the controversial lecture series of Dr Zakir, comparing Hinduism and Islam to cancel the event, saying that there was no benefit from organising such a talk, based on past experience.

Several MIC and Indian-based groups on Sunday lodged police reports over the lecture series that was scheduled to be held at Universiti Teknikal Malaysia (UTem) in Malacca on April 17.

While the event in Malacca was told to be cancelled, the talks in Bukit Jalil were reportedly allowed to be carried on.

Dr Zakir, who received the government’s Tokoh Maal Hijrah award in 2013, previously angered the Hindu community here by allegedly insulting their deities along with the vegetarian practises of the faith.

The Islamic Research Foundation president had also been denied entry to Canada and United Kingdom in 2012 after he reportedly expressed his support of terrorist group al-Qaeda.